Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 9.4.26

Good Friday morning.

For the first time since entering the race for St. Petersburg Mayor, former Gov. Charlie Crist is posting majority support among city voters, with a commanding 25-point lead over incumbent Mayor Ken Welch.

A St. Pete Polls survey taken Monday and Tuesday among 509 likely St. Pete voters shows Crist with 52% support in the race, while Welch trails at 27%.

With 21% still undecided, the numbers further cloud Welch’s already difficult path to victory. Even with all of the undecided votes, he’d still finish with just 48% support, 4 points behind Crist.

Data from the poll show that Crist has improved his standing among several demographics, including erasing Welch’s advantage among Black voters and Democrats, while gaining ground among Republicans and independents.

As of late July, when a previous St. Pete Polls survey was taken ahead of the Primary, Welch led Crist among Black voters by 26 percentage points. The new poll, the first taken since the Primary, in which Crist finished nearly 15 points ahead of Welch, shows Crist leading Welch among Black voters by 1 percentage point. While that is well within the poll’s margin of error (4.3 percentage points overall, and considerably wider for a subsample of 86 Black voters), it shows a 27-point swing in favor of Crist among Welch’s strongest demographic.

What’s more, Black voters are the most likely to sit out the race, an apparent rebuke of the incumbent, who is serving as the city’s first African American Mayor. About 17% of Black voters say they’re not sure if they’ll vote in the mayoral race, followed by 14% of independents and 13% of young voters ages 18-29. Meanwhile, only 5% of white voters say they’re not sure if they’ll cast a ballot in the mayoral race.

Welch’s poor showing in the poll is likely due to his approval rating, which is far underwater at minus 25. The poll found just 24% of voters approve of Welch’s job performance, compared with 49% who disapprove. That’s a sharp drop since polling in late March, when he had a net-positive approval rating of 7 points. In late June, Welch was underwater by 5 points.

And a big issue emerging this election cycle in St. Pete and across the nation — Flock cameras — may also be contributing to Welch’s poor positioning, with 59% of voters disapproving of them, compared with just 23% who approve. St. Pete has more than 50 Flock cameras installed throughout the city, and Welch has declined to have them removed, arguing opposition is “knee-jerk political theater” and saying he hasn’t seen evidence that “it’s such an invasion.” Crist, meanwhile, has called for a moratorium on the cameras.

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“Record share of Americans want unions to wield more influence” via Andrew Pantazi of Axios — Americans’ support for organized labor has climbed near historic highs even as union membership remains near modern lows. A Gallup poll found 71% approve of labor unions, including 89% of Democrats, 70% of independents and 52% of Republicans. A record 47% want unions to have more influence, more than twice the 23% who want less. Republican approval, however, does not translate into support for greater union power: 49% want unions to have less influence. Only 11% of U.S. workers were represented by unions in 2025, down from 23% in 1983. Meanwhile, just 27% of Americans expect unions to become stronger, while 39% expect them to weaken.

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Labor Day Weekend may mark the unofficial end of Summer, but it is also a reminder of the workers who keep Florida moving — and the unions making sure their voices are heard in Tallahassee. From police officers and firefighters to teachers and healthcare workers, organized labor remains a Capitol force even where unions face political headwinds.

The Florida State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police represents 20,000 members across 100 local lodges, with Lisa Henning of Timmins Consulting carrying its priorities before lawmakers. The Florida Police Benevolent Association likewise advocates for law enforcement officers and families, backed by an extensive lobbying team.

Florida Professional Firefighters brings another substantial presence in public safety. Founded in 1944, the organization represents more than 24,000 members through 150 local affiliates, with President Wayne “Bernie” Bernoska leading an advocacy team that includes Angelo D’Ariano, Rocco Salvatori, Meredith Stanfield and Screven Watson.

The Florida Education Association is among the state’s best-known unions, representing 150,000 teachers, school support employees, higher-ed faculty, retirees and education students. Its relationship with Tallahassee has often been contentious, particularly over classroom policies and teacher compensation, making its lobbying operation an important presence each Session.

Private-sector workers also have substantial representation. The Florida AFL-CIO encompasses more than 500 local unions and over a million members, retirees and family members, with Rich Templin handling politics and public policy. SEIU 1199 United Healthcare Workers represents more than 35,000 active and retired healthcare-sector members, aided by PinPoint Results.

For Florida politicos grinding through 16-hour days during the 2026 Elections, relentless work schedules may feel familiar. But Labor Day exists because generations of workers fought to make such conditions the exception rather than the expectation. Labor politics have changed dramatically since the holiday became federal law in 1894, but the underlying point remains: Florida’s prosperity depends on the people who show up and do the work.

— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —

—@MDixon55: (President Donald) Trump’s top political advisers were presented with internal polling last week…it was not great. They say, however, there is more to what’s in the numbers. Trump will lean into a Venezuelan oil deal as a main cog in an argument the WH is focused on prices going down, and there will be a major focus on turning out his low-propensity base

Tweet, tweet:

Tweet, tweet:

Tweet, tweet:

—@Fineout: That moment when Fla’s Governor talked about cheesesteak sandwiches w Byron Donalds, James Uthmeier and Blaise Ingoglia. When asked about places to eat where they have lived, Uthmeier says, “Tallahassee is hurting for good food spots.”

—@Ry_Bass: Per @MLB, the #Rays can clinch a playoff berth as early as Sunday, September 6th.

—@jkbjournalist: It is shameful that @nytimes @TheAthletic buried the fact that the biggest punishment in NBA history was the result of an investigation by journalist @PabloTorre. And to call it the result of a “podcast episode” is a further slap in the face. He won a Pulitzer for this story, and they call it an “episode” instead of, at the outset, crediting him with exposing this scandal. Really, really lame.

—@PabloTorre: Accountability for the wealthiest people on Earth is hard to come by. Thank you for believing in the power of independent journalism to accomplish it. (And, yes, more to come.)

— DAYS UNTIL —

NFL regular season kicks off — 5; Republican National Midterm Convention — 5; San Francisco 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams in the first-ever NFL regular-season game in Melbourne, Australia — 6; Yankees host the Mets for the 9/11 anniversary — 7; MLB Roberto Clemente Day — 11; Tampa Tiger Bay Club hosts its “Candidate Forum: Florida Governor Series” with Bryan Avila — 14; General Election UOCAVA ballot deadline — 15; Tampa Bay Buccaneers home opener against the Cleveland Browns — 16; General Election domestic ballot send window begins — 20; Tampa Tiger Bay Club hosts its ‘Candidate Forum: Florida Governor Series’ with David Jolly — 21; General Election domestic ballot send deadline — 27; ‘Digger,’ with Tom Cruise, directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, premieres — 28; General Election voter registration deadline — 31; ‘The Social Network’ sequel, with Jeremy Strong, Jeremy Allen White and Mikey Madison, premieres — 35; Associated Industries of Florida one-on-one conversations with five top-of-ticket Republicans — 38; ‘VisionQuest’ premieres — 40; Optional General early voting begins — 45; ‘Six Kings Slam’ on Netflix — 47; Florida TaxWatch Fiscal Accountability Leadership Summit begins — 47; General Election ballot request deadline — 48; Mandatory General early voting begins — 50; General Election — 60; ‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ premieres — 63; ‘Wild Horse Nine’ premieres — 63; Florida Automated Vehicles Summit — 68; ‘Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol’ starring Johnny Depp premieres — 70; ‘Paper Tiger’ starring Adam Driver premieres — 70; Joe Biden’s memoir, ‘Promise Me, America’ is released — 74; New legislator training sessions — 74; Senate convenes for general organization and selection of officers — 74; ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ premieres — 77; ‘The Adventures of Cliff Booth,’ with Brad Pitt, directed by David Fincher and written by Quentin Tarantino, premieres — 82; ‘Madden’ premieres — 83; Committee Week #1 — 87; Untitled ‘Star Wars’ movie premieres — 105; ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ premieres — 105; ‘Dune: Part 3,’ directed by Denis Villeneuve, premieres — 105; Committee Week #2 — 122; Committee Week #3 — 129; ‘Ahsoka’ season 2 premieres — 138; College Football Playoff national championship game in Las Vegas — 143; Committee Week #4 — 150; Grammys — 156; Committee Week #5 — 157; Super Bowl LXI — 163; Committee Week #6 — 164; Opening day of the 2027 Regular Legislative Session — 179; Tampa Mayoral Election — 179; ‘The Thomas Crown Affair,’ directed by and starring Michael B. Jordan premieres — 182; Oscars — 191; Jacksonville First Election — 200; Miami Marlins Opening Day/Home Opener — vs. New York Mets — 202; Tampa Bay Rays Opening Day/Home Opener — vs. Baltimore Orioles — 202; Democratic Mayors Association 2027 annual summit in Miami begins — 222; Jacksonville General Election — 256; ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ premieres — 266; ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’ premieres — 274; Citrus Series — Tampa Bay Rays at Miami Marlins — 315; ‘The Bluey Movie’ premieres — 336; ‘Miami Vice’ reboot premieres — 336; Citrus Series — Miami Marlins at Tampa Bay Rays — 371; ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ premieres — 469; 2028 South Carolina Presidential Primary — 505; College Football Playoff national championship game in New Orleans — 507; 2028 Nevada Presidential Primary — 515; 2028 New Hampshire Presidential Primary — 522; 2028 New Mexico Presidential Primary — 529; ‘The Batman Part II’ premieres — 532; 2028 Michigan Presidential Primary — 536; 2028 Virginia Presidential Primary — 543; Oscars — 548; ‘X-Men’ premieres — 609; ‘Lilo & Stitch 2’ premieres — 630; ‘Days of Thunder’ sequel with Cruise and Anne Hathaway premieres — 637; ‘Incredibles 3’ premieres — 651; 2028 Los Angeles Olympics Opening Ceremony — 679; ‘Ghost Rider’ premieres — 693; 2028 U.S. Presidential Election — 795; ‘Black Panther 3’ directed by Ryan Coogler premieres — 833; College Football Playoff national championship game in Tampa — 871; ‘Avatar 4’ premieres — 1,195; College Football Playoff national championship game in Miami — 1,235; ‘Avatar 5’ premieres — 1,926.

— TOP STORY —

“Ron DeSantis administration seeks another $250M to cover immigration bills” via Jeffrey Schweers of the Orlando Sentinel — Florida emergency-management officials are seeking another $250 million only three months into the budget year, saying they lack sufficient authority to pay contractors tied to the state’s immigration enforcement operations. The request arrives as hurricane season intensifies and lawmakers question the agency’s accounting.

The Division of Emergency Management has already spent $114.7 million of the $167.4 million lawmakers provided for the fiscal year. The agency wants another $187.84 million for immigration efforts and $62.16 million for public-assistance work, according to documents sent to lawmakers.

The request includes unpaid costs connected to Alligator Alcatraz and Deportation Depot. Florida still owes CDR Health $16 million for medical facilities at the Everglades detention center and nearly $40 million to Doodie Calls for sanitation services there.

Democratic Rep. Anna Eskamani criticized the request, noting that a required quarterly report detailing immigration spending, federal reimbursements and remaining balances is roughly 50 days overdue. Republican Rep. Alex Andrade, a Legislative Budget Commission member, called $250 million “a sporty amount” and said he wants answers.

Andrade also questioned how the agency reached this point heading into peak hurricane season and how much Washington will reimburse Florida. The state spent $566 million on immigration efforts last year, while Gov. DeSantis says more than $100 million has been reimbursed.

The request needs approval from the Governor’s Office and Legislative Budget Commission, which could consider it Sept. 11. DeSantis has downplayed concerns, pointing to Florida’s $17 billion to $18 billion in reserves and insisting state operations remain financially secure.

— 2026 —

“Economic development groups sound the alarm against Amendment 3” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics — Two economic development groups are opposing Amendment 3, raising the alarm that cutting revenue from property taxes could hurt economic efforts at the local level. The Florida Economic Development Council and the Orlando Economic Partnership (OEP) both issued statements denouncing the November ballot measure. “Amendment 3 would erode the revenue structure supporting Florida counties and municipalities, resulting in uncertainty and disrupting the balance of the private-public model that prioritizes investments in transportation infrastructure, place-making, and good jobs with sustainable wages for Florida families,” said the Council’s Executive Director, Beth Cicchetti.

“Byron Donalds tells Delray Beach crowd Florida faces ‘common sense vs. crazy’ choice” via Frank Kopylov of Florida’s Voice — U.S. Rep. Donalds told a packed crowd that Florida’s Governor’s race is “a choice between common sense and crazy,” pledging to keep insurance costs falling, reject Sharia law and build on DeSantis’ record as he opened a question-and-answer stop on his “Defending the Florida Dream” tour. Donalds, the Republican nominee, spoke at the Dr. André Fladell Civic Center. The appearance came after DeSantis formally endorsed Donalds at a Republican leadership forum in Tampa, ending a long stretch in which the two men had kept their distance. Donalds said campaigns come and go, but leadership is “taking people to a place they probably wouldn’t have gotten to on their own.”

“Donalds makes campaign stop in Lakeland” via Trinity Laurino of LkldNow — On Thursday, Sept. 3, Donalds stopped into Born & Bread Bakehouse on South Florida Ave. to greet a few dozen quietly assembled supporters and shake hands with local patrons. “If you’re going to campaign for a state not just as big as Florida, as diverse as Florida, you have to be everywhere,” Donalds said when asked why he chose to come to Lakeland. Donalds said the issues he’s hearing most from local voters are about infrastructure and growth. “All across the state here, it’s probably more, ‘How do we manage growth or slow down growth? What are we going to do about infrastructure?’” he said.

“David Jolly gets another ratings boost, but money remains hurdle” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — Jolly’s chances of winning the Governor’s race continue to improve on paper, but analysts say the Democrat needs considerably more money to compete with Republican Donalds. Inside Elections shifted the contest from “solid Republican” to “likely Republican,” matching recent moves by the Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball. The financial gap remains enormous: Jolly had less than $3 million available as of Aug. 21, compared with Donalds’ $57 million. Jolly has since landed major contributions, including $1 million from Donald Sussman and $500,000 from the American Federation of Teachers. But Donalds continues raising big money while also picking up support from some surprising Democratic figures.

“James Uthmeier’s Democratic opponent demands preservation of Hope Florida records” via Liv Caputo of the Miami Herald — In a letter sent Wednesday to top DeSantis administration officials, Florida’s Democratic nominee for Attorney General is demanding that all Hope Florida-related communications be preserved in case of a lawsuit. José Javier Rodríguez is insisting the officials — and mostly his election-season opponent, Uthmeier — respond within the next two weeks to confirm that all documents are being saved and no disappearing-message apps are being used.

—“Uthmeier raises big money from firms hired by his office” via Jason Garcia of Seeking Rents

“Alex Vindman sends campaign cash to veteran Democrats” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Former Democratic Senate candidate Vindman is putting leftover campaign resources behind veterans running for Congress, donating more than $175,000 to Democrats in competitive U.S. House races. Florida recipients include Bale Dalton, Phil Ehr, Leela Gray and James Martin, along with the Florida Veterans Caucus. Vindman also contributed to veteran candidates in seven other states. The spending follows $400,000 previously given to the Florida Democratic Party and $250,000 directed toward battleground Senate races nationwide. Dalton and Gray are competing in districts already identified as potential Democratic opportunities, while Ehr and Martin face Republican incumbents Carlos Giménez and Brian Mast. Vindman said fellow veterans share the values and commitment needed to serve constituents in Congress.

— MORE ELECTIONS —

“Internal poll shows Darren Soto tied with Dan Green in battleground CD 9” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — An internal poll shows U.S. Rep. Soto tied with Republican challenger Green. That’s good news for the Democrat after he was put in a battleground District under Florida’s new congressional map. The survey by SEA Polling shows 41% of likely voters support Soto and an equal percentage support Green, while another 18% remain undecided. “Soto is better known and more positively defined than Green,” a polling memo reads. “Soto is viewed favorably by 29% of voters surveyed and unfavorably by 19%, while Green is at 17% favorable and 14% unfavorable.”

— EVEN MORE ELECTIONS —

Walk this way:

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Save the date:

Save the date:

— STATEWIDE —

“Florida bans students without legal residency from public universities” via Lucy Marques of the Tampa Bay Times — The Florida Board of Governors voted on Thursday to ban students without legal immigration status from attending any state university. About 8,000 students without legal status graduate from Florida high schools every year. This change will impact the children of undocumented workers, who registered for and matriculated through public school in Florida, said United Faculty of Florida President Robert Casanello. DeSantis said in July that if a student is “here illegally,” their spot should go to a “Florida resident.” Casanello said that logic is “absurd,” especially as college enrollment is declining nationally.

“Home, auto insurance premiums down $3B in 2025 after reforms” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics — A new study finds that Florida policyholders paid nearly $3 billion less for homeowner and auto insurance in 2025 than in 2024. “Florida’s legal system abuse reforms are working as intended,” said Chase Mitchell, assistant vice president of State Government Relations at APCIA. The $3 billion in premium reductions from 2024 to 2025 includes a $1.29 billion drop in property insurance and a $1.7 billion drop in auto insurance premiums statewide. “Affordable and available insurance is essential to helping Floridians protect their homes, businesses and vehicles when the worst happens,” Mitchell said.

“Flock cameras and license plate readers off state roads in SWFL, but private ones can stay” via Riley Lehman of WINK News — The removal of Flock cameras and license plate readers on state highways is raising questions about what it means for others who use the technology. While Flock cameras along state-owned roads are being removed, that doesn’t apply to cameras on private property. “Private property is just that. That’s private property,” said an official. “If somebody has a surveillance camera, if they purchased an ALPR. If they use the name brand that everybody is kind of hot on Flock, that’s their private property.”

“Florida universities face new AI rules for classrooms” via Jim Saunders of State Affairs Florida — Florida’s Board of Governors gave initial approval to requiring state universities to establish policies governing artificial intelligence use in courses. The proposal would require university trustees to address AI use and disclosure in all course syllabi, including whether faculty use AI to grade student work or create instructional materials. Students could also be required to disclose the use of AI for assignments. Emily Sykes, a university system vice chancellor, said that Florida Atlantic University and the University of Florida already have policies in place, while other schools offer guidance. Board member Edward Haddock said guardrails are increasingly important. Separately, state education officials will consider proposed AI rules for K-12 schools and state colleges Sept. 16.

“Florida wants state approval before private equity deals in college sports” via Andrew Atterbury of POLITICO — State officials are pushing for a new layer of oversight before Florida universities reach any deals with private equity firms, a move some schools are turning to in the increasingly expensive new era of college sports. Under a new policy, state universities would have to obtain final approval from the Board of Governors for any private investment agreements that schools and athletic conferences have sought to bring in more revenue. At the same time, the rule change would give Florida schools new flexibility to use non-athletic funds, including student fees, to support sports programs seeking to remain competitive with peers in other states. “There’s been so many changes in the last five or six years in college athletics, and it didn’t change for decades prior to that,” Florida State University trustees Chair Peter Collins said.

“Concerns that UF Board Chair overstepped authority unfounded, report finds” via Lucy Marques of the Tampa Bay Times — Mori Hosseini, the Chair of the University of Florida’s Board of Trustees, did not overstep his authority during the school’s two-year search for a permanent president, the Board of Governors inspector general said. In June, Florida Board of Governors Chair Alan Levine voiced concerns about Hosseini’s scope of authority, asking the Board’s inspector general to review any “credible allegation” involving Hosseini after anonymous social media posts about him circulated. “What you find yourself asking is, as a constitutional officer, when you’re told something, and you don’t know if it’s true or not, what is your responsibility at that point?” Levine said.

“Florida sees slight uptick in first-time unemployment filings for final week of August” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — The last week of August saw a slight uptick in jobless claims in Florida. For the second week in a row, unemployment claims were on the rise. U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) latest first-time unemployment filing data shows Florida with 5,294 filings for the week ending Aug. 29. That’s up 89 claims from the week ending Aug. 22 when there were 5,205. Florida’s slight increase in claims comes amid steadily improving employment rates for the Sunshine State. July’s unemployment rate came in at 4.6%.

— D.C. MATTERS —

“Donald Trump administration asks Supreme Court to allow mail-in ballot restrictions” via Justin Jouvenal and Patrick Marley of The Washington Post — The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to immediately allow new restrictions on mail-in balloting, potentially setting up a major legal clash that could affect millions of voters for November’s Midterm Elections. The administration says the new rules, set out by Trump in an executive order, are necessary to keep noncitizens from voting. “We’ll go to court as many times as we need to,” said Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read. “The Constitution is really, really clear. I am not a lawyer, but I can read Article 1, Section 4 very clearly. It’s time, place and manner [of elections] that’s reserved to the states, not the President.”

“JD Vance reacts to airstrike that killed four at Iran wedding: ‘Things happen’” via Joseph Gedeon of The Guardian — Vance said “sometimes things happen” when asked on Thursday whether an American strike was responsible for killing four people, including a child, at a wedding celebration in southern Iran this week. Graphic near-monochrome image showing interior of an illuminated bombed-out room with the roof blown out to reveal the black night sky, and debris on the floor. The remains of chairs, cushions, and other items are visible, along with sepia-toned floral wallpaper on the remaining walls. Iran accuses U.S. of ‘war crime’ after missile blast kills four people at wedding. The strike hit Kuhestak, a town in Sirik county on the Strait of Hormuz. “I will say that the Iranian state media has not been a very good scribe about what’s happened in the conflict thus far, so I’m extremely skeptical of this,” he said, offering no acknowledgment that the killings had been confirmed by an internationally recognized humanitarian body.

“Excavation work on Trump’s arch in Washington to begin over next 2 weeks, administration says” via Jesse Bedayn of The Associated Press — The Trump administration said Thursday that excavation work will start over the next two weeks on the site where it plans to build a towering, gilded arch, a project that is facing a lawsuit and that critics say will disrupt historic sightlines in Washington, D.C. The proposed arch is one of several projects the Republican President is pursuing to leave his lasting imprint on Washington, including renaming and renovating the Kennedy Center, building a huge new White House ballroom, refurbishing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and rebuilding a golf course in East Potomac Park that could significantly reduce the public’s access to running and biking paths.

“‘Launchpad to the stars’: Ashley Moody moves to place Space Academy on Space Coast” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — U.S. Sen. Moody wants to see the U.S. Space Academy located in Florida, in her latest attempt to boost the space sector since her appointment last year. “The newly established United States Space Academy belongs in Florida — America’s launchpad to the stars. That’s why the first thing I’ll do when I’m back in Washington is introduce legislation to bring the academy home to Florida — ensuring our nation’s next generation of space leaders is educated, trained, and prepared for a future in the final frontier right here on Florida’s Space Coast,” the Plant City Republican said.

“House Republicans set to cut pre-election Session short” via Meredith Lee Hill, Mia McCarthy and Riley Rogerson of POLITICO — Republican leaders announced the final two weeks of the pre-election House Session are canceled, severely curtailing what had been a full legislative calendar for September. Speaker Mike Johnson has claimed the GOP-led House has been unusually productive this Congress despite the floor challenges and his decision to keep the chamber out of Session for nearly two months last year during a government shutdown. That means members are set to depart Washington no later than Sept. 17 and not return until mid-November. The House will reconvene for one additional week of business after next week’s Labor Day break. “I’ll point out that there’s almost 600 pieces of that landmark legislation that are still sitting over in the other chamber in the Senate, and so we need to get more and more of that done,” he said.

Business Minute spotlights global drug pricing debate — South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Lily Lopez sat down with National Taxpayers Union President Pete Sepp for a new “Business Minute” discussion on prescription drug affordability, medical innovation and America’s global competitiveness. The conversation examined how policymakers can lower patients’ out-of-pocket costs without weakening the incentives that drive the development of new treatments, and the economic trade-offs associated with government price-setting policies. Lopez and Sepp also discussed the role U.S. biopharmaceutical innovation plays in improving health outcomes, strengthening workforce productivity and maintaining America’s leadership in medical research.

To watch the discussion, please click the image below:

— LOCAL: S. FL —

“Memorial Healthcare makes Shane Strum president and CEO; he’ll also continue to lead Broward Health” via Cindy Krischer Goodman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel — The Board of the South Broward Hospital District voted to make Strum the president and CEO of Memorial Healthcare System, making him the first person to lead both Memorial and Broward Health, the two taxpayer-funded hospital systems in Broward County. Strum drew a multimillion-dollar compensation package from Broward Health, with total pay reaching $2.43 million in 2025 from his base salary, bonuses, and a car allowance. “I’ve worked with hundreds of CEOs, and I put Shane in the top five,” Broward Health Board member Ray Berry said. “I support Shane, and it’s about time these two systems work together.”

“Rafael Villalobos pauses look at closing 27 schools” via Sarah Perkel of the USA Today Network — Miami-Dade District Superintendent Villalobos put a temporary pause on a process that could have shut down operations at 27 schools. The School Board voted to close nine schools last year, and 27 were recently being evaluated to determine whether they should “remain operational,” according to the Attendance Boundary Committee. The Committee released a list of schools, divided into two categories — those that are “reassessed” and those that are “under review.” “I’d like to be given that opportunity to put a pause, and then we can come back second week of October and still finish by December,” Villalobos said at a Sept. 2 School Board Committee Meeting.

“Miami-Dade sheriff slams Grand Theft Auto marketing proposal” via Martin Vassolo of Axios Miami — Miami-Dade’s top cop is speaking out against a proposed marketing campaign that would promote “Grand Theft Auto VI” at county facilities. But Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said associating with a violent game that encourages players to kill civilians and police officers is not the message Miami-Dade County should be sending. “Miami-Dade County is not Vice City.” County Commissioner Juan Carlos Bermudez, who joined the Sheriff in criticizing the proposal, said he questioned whether the county should use public resources, facilities and its global brand to promote a “fictional depiction of Miami centered on crime, violence and lawlessness.” “I still cannot believe that we are even considering temporarily rebranding important County assets, including Miami International Airport, as ‘Vice City Airport.’”

“Brevard County health officials warn of rabies, West Nile risks” via Jim Waymer of Florida Today — Florida health officials warned about risks to Brevard County residents from rabies and the West Nile virus. Several sentinel chickens within the county have recently tested positive for West Nile virus, triggering a health advisory. Thursday’s rabies alert was in response to a confirmed case of rabies in a raccoon that was captured in the Melbourne area off Andrews Avenue on Aug. 27. State health officials and Brevard County Mosquito Control are coordinating surveillance and prevention efforts “by enhanced monitoring for mosquitoes and diseases as well as targeted mosquito treatment and overnight spraying to reduce the risk of disease transmission,” FDOH said.

“Key West keeps temporary City Attorney as permanent search begins” via Ted Lund of Above The Fold — Key West will retain contract City Attorney Mayanne Downs while Assistant City Attorney Kendal Harden is on family leave, maintaining continuity as officials launch another search for permanent, in-house legal leadership. Commissioner Mark Rossi plans to introduce a resolution to create a selection committee to recruit and evaluate candidates, while the city drafts a job advertisement. Downs, an Orlando attorney with DownsAaron, has served since October 2025 under a month-to-month contract paying $495 an hour plus expenses. Her agreement runs through April 2027. The city turned to Downs after an earlier screening committee failed to recommend a permanent candidate. The City Attorney reports directly to the City Commission.

— LOCAL: C. FL —

“Judge Diana Tennis resigns ahead of suspension for campaign donations” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics — Orange County Circuit Court Judge Tennis is resigning instead of facing a suspension after the Florida Supreme Court sought to punish her for making $29,000 in political donations. The Judicial Qualifications Commission’s findings called Tennis “far and away the most prolific offender both in terms of total dollars and number of contributions” it had reviewed. “Judge Tennis is an outstanding Judge who has diligently served the Central Florida community with distinction for many years. Her retirement is a loss for the community,” Tennis’ attorney said to WESH 2 News.

“Orange County Public Schools cuts $8.5 million amid enrollment drop” via Steven Walker of the Orlando Sentinel — Orange County Public Schools will cut $8.5 million from its budget this Fall because almost 8,000 fewer students are enrolled now compared to the end of the last academic year. Clinton McCracken, the president of the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association, said the District’s memo unfairly tried to “blame teachers” and the union for the new round of cuts. “Teachers shouldn’t be asked to choose between affordable healthcare and keeping educators in our schools,” he said.

“Officials, advocates warn against Flock cameras in Central Florida” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics — Flock cameras have become a flashpoint in Central Florida, drawing concern from advocates and local leaders alike as the debate over surveillance technology moves to the forefront of this election season. State Rep. Anna Eskamani is calling for lawmakers to return to Tallahassee for a Special Session, arguing that new laws are needed to address the use of Flock cameras across Florida. DeSantis described Flock cameras as out of control and ordered their removal from state roads. “I do think Legislature needs to act on this,” Eskamani said Wednesday.

“Florida Polytechnic University nabs top rankings for computer and data science programs” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — Research.com ranked Florida Poly No. 1 among the state’s public universities in data science and computer science, with its Data Science master’s program earning special recognition. “We are incredibly proud to see Florida Poly’s data science and computer science programs recognized through these rankings,” said Brad Thiessen, Provost of the Lakeland-based Florida Poly. Research.com officials say they’re focused on data science rankings because students majoring in that discipline are likely to earn higher incomes, with a mean annual salary of $119,040.

— LOCAL: TB —

“Pinellas Sheriff addresses immigration detention after rebooking controversy” via Juan Carlos Chavez of the Tampa Bay Times — Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri dismissed criticism over the county jail releasing and rebooking immigrants to avoid exceeding a 72-hour detention limit, saying his office already is allowed to hold people in immigration custody for longer than that. An investigation found that the Pinellas County Jail released and rebooked 174 immigrants at least twice over a one-year period ending in July. “I didn’t do that, and I think what they were probably doing is thinking they were doing the right thing because those people were not gonna be released,” Gualtieri said.

“The bad math behind a St. Pete ‘affordable’ housing project” via Graham Brink of the Tampa Bay Times — St. Petersburg’s Deuces Rising housing project is nearing completion, but the numbers behind it remain difficult to justify. The city agreed to subsidize 24 townhomes at $500,000 each, bringing the total public subsidy to $12 million on a $19.1 million construction cost. That works out to roughly $800,000 per unit, about double the per-square-foot cost of nearby Habitat for Humanity townhomes. The city expects to recover only about a third of construction costs through sales, and projected prices of roughly $375,000 to $400,000 are drawing criticism from residents who question whether the homes are truly affordable. The project may still benefit the historic Deuces neighborhood, but its cost offers a costly lesson in how good intentions can outrun fiscal discipline.

“Lightning parent company pitched Mahaffey Theater management, but city never formally considered it” via Emma Behrmann of the Tampa Bay Business Journal — The Tampa Bay Lightning parent company wanted a shot at managing St. Petersburg’s Mahaffey Theater, but the city never formally responded to its proposal. Vinik Sports Group prepared a proposal to manage the Mahaffey Theater, but city officials told the group not to formally submit its bid. The city then shared it would be exploring an agreement with The Florida Orchestra to operate the venue with an outside partner and did not update VSG. VSG Chief Venue Officer Kevin Preast asked city administrators Beth Herendeen, Rob Gerdes and James Corbett for an update on July 30 after Gerdes shared at a City Council Committee meeting that the city was pursuing an agreement with the orchestra.

“Rays owners put $411K behind Bob Buckhorn” via Yacob Reyes of Axios Tampa Bay — Members of the Rays’ new ownership group and businesses associated with them have donated at least $411,000 to Buckhorn’s political committee, campaign finance and corporate records show. Most of the money came from businesses owned by Rays’ investors, which contributed $345,000 in total, while individual investors contributed another $66,000. The largest single donation — $200,000 — came from Ayon Capital, founded by Rays’ limited partner Sidd Pagidipati. Dream Finders Homes, which Rays’ managing partner Patrick Zalupski controls, donated $50,000 to Buckhorn’s political committee, and Dan Doyle Jr., who is on the team’s executive advisory board, also gave $50,000.

“Hillsborough courts left with chaos after state’s juvenile detention center closure” via the Tampa Bay Times — That’s because the state had suddenly shut down the county’s only juvenile detention center three weeks earlier. The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice offered little explanation and provided almost no guidance to the lawyers, judges, and local officials left to manage the fallout and develop plans for handling kids going forward. As of last Friday, 34 Hillsborough children in the state’s care had been spread across detention buildings in four other counties. “We would like to avoid having her transported back to Pinellas because it creates a difficulty for the family,” Michelle Book, the head of the public defender’s juvenile division, told the judge.

“Dave Eggers says he has colorectal cancer” via Juan Carlos Chavez of the Tampa Bay Times — In a tearful announcement Thursday afternoon, Pinellas County Commission Chair Eggers said he has colorectal cancer. He started treatment in mid-July, he said. His doctors first detected the cancer in June, and he’s receiving treatment at the Moffitt Cancer Center. “It has been an emotional month or two,” said Eggers, 69. “And I know there will be some ups and downs along the way, but I’m doing well. I feel great, which is the irony of all of it.”

— LOCAL: N. FL —

“Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office cracks down on Flock camera damage” via DeonTay Smith of the Panama City News Herald — The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has arrested one person and has a warrant pending for a second in connection with damage to Flock camera equipment. “The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is making clear that damaging privately owned camera equipment belonging to Flock will result in criminal charges,” the Sheriff’s office said on its Facebook page. “The use of LPR (license plate reader) cameras has not been deemed unlawful, nor has it been ruled unconstitutional. Flock has the same rights as any other victim of a crime. Whether a camera is active or deactivated, destroying someone else’s property – whether owned by an individual or a corporation – is a crime.”

— LOCAL: SW. FL —

“North Port considers 18-month moratorium on data centers as details emerge for data center development site” via Kimberly Kuizon of FOX 13 News — North Port Commissioners are considering an 18-month moratorium on data centers while a multi-building application remains under review, drawing strong public outcry over environmental risks. North Port city leaders are reviewing a proposal for a 7-building data center complex covering 896,000 square feet. City documents reveal the project would impact just over 4.5 acres of wetlands. Pam Tokarz noted a large slough runs in front of her house as part of the watershed. “It’s a lot of big unknowns; we don’t know about the water,” Tokarz said.

“Southwest Florida adds more measles cases. Is an outbreak coming?” via Liz Freeman of the Fort Myers News-Press and the Naples Daily News — Two more cases of measles have been reported in Collier County, a not-surprising event since a case was confirmed a prior week for the highly infectious disease. The two new cases involve children under the age of four. The earlier case that was logged into the state’s website Aug. 18 also involved a child under the age of four, who was diagnosed in Immokalee by the Immokalee-based Healthcare Network. HCN operates outpatient centers throughout the county. The Florida state health department in Collier sent a notice Aug. 28 addressed to “Dear Community Member” about three infants in Immokalee who have been diagnosed with measles.

— TOP OPINION —

“Amendment 3 could turn rural Florida into data center country” via Jeff Brandes for Florida Politics — Rural Florida’s resistance to artificial intelligence data centers could collide with Amendment 3’s fiscal realities. Jackson County banned data centers outright, while Levy and Madison counties pursued moratoriums. But the property-tax overhaul could make rejecting billion-dollar developments considerably more expensive for cash-strapped communities.

Amendment 3 is projected to cut local non-school property-tax revenue by $4.95 billion initially, rising to $8.78 billion in year two and eventually approaching $12 billion annually. Sheriffs, firefighters, roads, and other services will continue to generate bills that counties must pay.

The amendment increases the homestead exemption and reduces the assessment-growth cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%, limiting revenue growth from existing property. New construction enters tax rolls at full just value, giving local governments an incentive to expand taxable bases.

That arithmetic becomes dramatic in rural counties. Liberty County has roughly $1.1 billion in total property value but only $394 million in county taxable value. A hypothetical $1 billion data center could exceed two and a half times its taxable base. Lafayette faces similar math.

Data centers typically seek incentives, potentially creating competition among counties desperate for investment. DeSantis has proposed greater state assistance for fiscally constrained counties, leaving communities to choose between expanding their own tax bases and relying more heavily on Tallahassee for financial support.

Rural communities may ultimately decide fiscal autonomy outweighs objections to server farms. Today’s moratorium could become tomorrow’s incentive package. Amendment 3 would not make rural Florida love artificial intelligence, but changing tax math could make data centers harder to refuse.

— MORE OPINIONS —

“Trump fatigue starts to rattle Republicans ahead of Midterms” via Lindsay Wise, Siobhan Hughes and Maya Davis of The Wall Street Journal — Republicans are putting Trump at the center of their Midterm campaign even as some GOP lawmakers warn voter exhaustion with the President could cost the party control of Congress. Retiring Rep. Don Bacon says Trump’s recent actions can look chaotic and destructive and has urged candidates in competitive districts to break with him when necessary. Rep. Stephanie Bice has also warned that frustrated Republicans could stay home or vote Democratic. Democrats need only three seats to capture the House and four to retake the Senate, with election analysts moving races their way. Trump has promised to campaign nationwide, but Republicans increasingly face a difficult calculation: whether embracing their strongest turnout driver could simultaneously alienate the voters they need most.

“Congress should stop waiving the Jones Act and repeal it” via Skylar Zander for the Tampa Bay Times — Trump’s record-long suspension of the Jones Act shows why Congress should scrap the century-old shipping law altogether. The law requires cargo moving between U.S. ports to travel on American-built, owned, flagged and crewed vessels, leaving businesses with fewer than 100 eligible oceangoing ships. The restrictions hit Tampa Bay particularly hard, where reliable shipments of energy, construction materials and consumer goods are essential to a growing economy. Higher transportation costs ultimately reach families through gasoline, groceries and housing. Trump deserves credit for repeatedly granting waivers when the country needed additional shipping capacity, but temporary exemptions aren’t a lasting solution. After more than 200 recent exemptions, Congress should recognize the underlying problem and repeal the law.

“Hasan Piker becomes a political liability for Democrats” via Elaine Godfrey of The Atlantic — Piker has become an unwelcome fixture in Democratic politics after Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed embraced the provocative left-wing streamer during his Primary campaign. Republicans are now exploiting Piker’s history of inflammatory remarks, while prominent Democrats including Hakeem Jeffries, Jon Ossoff and Cory Booker have condemned his rhetoric. El-Sayed has distanced himself since winning the nomination but stopped short of fully disavowing Piker, leaving Republicans an easy line of attack in a competitive state. Democrats can complain about the double standard given Trump’s associations with controversial figures, but politics isn’t fair. With most voters still unfamiliar with Piker, Republicans have two months to change that — and make him a problem well beyond Michigan.

“Investing in higher education builds Miami’s talent pipeline” via Mike Allen for the Miami Herald — Miami is having a moment, with companies, capital and talent pouring into South Florida, but rising costs threaten to leave local students behind. While employers compete for skilled workers, 41% of Miami-Dade households struggle to cover basic living expenses, putting college increasingly out of reach. Businesses should help build the workforce they need by investing directly in higher education through paid internships, apprenticeships, co-ops and industry-designed coursework. Scholarships, tuition assistance and completion grants can also keep promising students from leaving college when money runs short. Stronger partnerships between employers and universities would produce career-ready graduates while giving businesses access to homegrown talent. Miami’s boom should ultimately be measured by whether its prosperity creates opportunities for the people already here.

— WEEKEND TV —

Full Circle Florida with Paul LaGrone on Tampa Bay 28/WFTS: Perry Lunsford, CEO of Healthy Insurance Dude, examines the future of retirement and whether working until 65 remains realistic; political analyst Susan MacManus breaks down a Gallup poll showing 89% of Americans believe government corruption is widespread and what it means for trust in politics; and Pat Donovan and Aaron Jacobson of The Pat & Aaron Show on WDAE join Rock Riley for a sports roundtable previewing the Bucs, Gators, Seminoles and Bulls, along with the Tampa Bay Rays and developments surrounding their proposed new stadium.

Florida This Week on WEDU PBS: Moderator Lissette Campos and the panel discuss what needs to happen next for the Tampa Bay Rays stadium deal to move forward; the clash between DeSantis and local sheriffs over Flock cameras and government surveillance; and federal officials’ justification for deporting Cuban immigrants from Tampa to Africa. Panelists are Hillsborough County Democratic Hispanic Caucus President Victor DiMaio; Republican analyst and Gulfstream Video Studio owner Christopher Ingram; law professor and attorney Tara Newsom; and journalist, author, Write Knox Press founder and past Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists President Camille Knox. Airs 12:30 p.m. Sunday on WEDU PBS Channel 3. Episodes are also available online through Florida This Week, YouTube and Facebook.

In Focus with Allison Walker on Spectrum Bay News 9/Spectrum News 13: A discussion of the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Joining Walker are Becky Troutman, Polk County Commissioner, and speakers at the 9/11 Anniversary event at Rossi Park in Bradenton.

The Usual Suspects on WCTV-Tallahassee/Thomasville (CBS) and WJHG: Gary Yordon speaks with pollster Steve Vancore.

This Week in Jacksonville with Kent Justice on Channel 4 WJXT: Jacksonville City Council member Moné Holder, City Council Vice President Joe Carlucci and Jacksonville Chief Administrative Officer Mike Weinstein.

This Week in South Florida with Glenna Milberg on Local 10 WPLG: Milberg speaks with Shane Strum, who was just appointed the permanent CEO of Memorial Healthcare System. Plus, U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council President John Kavulich weighs in on the impact of a new ruling allowing Cubans living abroad to own private businesses. The big news of the week and the newsmakers on Sunday at 11 a.m.

— INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY —

— ALOE —

“Gloria Steinem, lodestar of the modern women’s movement, dies at 92” via Emily Langer of The Washington Post — Steinem, an organizer and activist who, perhaps more than anyone else, helped sustain the women’s movement through the second half of the 20th century and into the 21st, through battles over reproductive rights, economic equality, sexual harassment and other issues that affect the lives of millions of women, died Sept. 2 at her home in New York City. “In my heart, I think a woman has two choices,” Steinem once said. “Either she’s a feminist or a masochist.”

“Maria Bartiromo is out at Fox News” via Erik Wemple of The New York Times — Bartiromo, one of Fox News’s most recognizable anchors and a fierce backer of Trump, is leaving the network. In a statement, the network said: “Effective today, Maria Bartiromo is no longer with Fox News Media.” It did not specify a reason for the abrupt departure. “We thank Maria for her work over the last 12½ years and wish her all the best on her next chapter,” the statement said. The dismissal came after Bartiromo shared internal Fox Business communications with the White House.

“Florida is safest state in U.S. for Summer travel on roadways, new study finds” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — As millions of Floridians hit the road for Labor Day Weekend, a new study finds the state has the best Summer driving safety record in the country. David Rosen, Chief Operating Officer of the law firm conducting the study, said the finding is notable given Florida’s population of about 22 million — a size that might suggest more, not less, deadly Summer travel. “Florida’s speeding fatal crash rate of 0.65 per 100,000 is the lowest in the nation, less than half the national average, despite its massive population and status as a top Summer travel destination,” Rosen said.

— U.S. OPEN —

“At the U.S. Open, a Filipino artist finds inspiration in Eala-mania” via Rebecca Tauber of The Athletic — In a small room on the second floor of an Episcopal church in Queens, Pau Tiu, 32, has spent the week designing and printing posters in support of rising Filipino tennis star Alex Eala. Eala beat the United States’ Mary Stoiana 6-1, 6-2 in her 2026 U.S. Open debut. In August, the 21-year-old became the first Filipino player to win a WTA Tour singles title, beating No. 3 Jessica Pegula in the D.C. Open final, and the Filipino diaspora came out in droves to support her, filling the 14,000-capacity Louis Armstrong Stadium with Filipino flags and roaring cheers.

“At the U.S. Open, tennis etiquette no longer rules. Some players want that to be the norm” via Matthew Futterman of The Athletic — In late Summer, professional tennis lands in an opposite world in New York City. Don’t go looking for hushed tones, decorous silence or the other traditions of a sport whose roots exist on the hallowed lawns of polite society. At the U.S. Open, music blares from speakers. A near-constant buzz rises from every crowd, interrupted only by bursts of exuberance. Trains rumble behind the main stadiums, Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong, while planes approaching and departing from LaGuardia Airport bring their stomach-churning roars. The Billie Jean King Tennis Center opens for business, and a lot of basic tennis etiquette takes a break. This is an amped-up, raucous version of the sport.

“U.S. Open faces influencer reckoning with new drama” via Simon Hernandez-Arthur of Axios — The U.S. Open has long been a “see and be seen” destination for fashion, business and Hollywood. Now, a growing class of content creators is joining the crowd — and getting schooled in tennis etiquette in real time. Chair umpire Kader Nouni briefly interrupted Naomi Osaka’s first-round match against Anastasia Zakharova after people in a hospitality suite were walking around and taking photos — including with a light — while Osaka was preparing to serve. “Guys, please, in the suite behind me … please take your seat,” Nouni told the group. The USTA approved credentials for “close to 100” content creators this year, nearly double the 54 it credentialed when it launched the program in 2025.

— HAPPY BIRTHDAY —

Happy birthday in advance to County Commissioner Bobby Powell. Celebrating today are top pollster Ryan Tyson, former Rep. Evan Jenne, and Valerie Wickboldt of Avail Strategies.

___

Sunburn is authored and assembled by Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Daniel Dean, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, and Drew Wilson.

The post Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 9.4.26 appeared first on Florida Politics – Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government..

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