Politics
Milton — shutdown — FEMA — NASA — wage gap
Milton’s other aftermath
An internal investigation published last week by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shows Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) workers violated Floridians’ privacy while politically discriminating against them during the response to Hurricane Milton.
A political firestorm developed last year after an initial discovery that workers passed over several Lake Placid homes because signs supporting Donald Trump’s presidential campaign appeared in their yards. But Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the investigation showed similar issues in disaster response dating back to 2021, the start of President Joe Biden’s administration.
“The federal government was withholding aid against Americans in crisis based on their political beliefs — this should horrify every American, regardless of political persuasion,” Noem said.
“For years, FEMA employees under the Biden administration intentionally delayed much-needed aid to Americans suffering from natural disasters on purely political grounds. They deliberately avoided houses displaying support for President Trump and the Second Amendment, illegally collected and stored information about survivors’ political beliefs, and failed to report their malicious behavior. We will not let this stand.”
Rep. Vern Buchanan, GOP co-Chair of the Florida congressional delegation, had called for the investigation in a letter last November. He applauded the agency for publicizing the findings.
“Under the Biden administration, FEMA officials engaged in blatant political discrimination by refusing aid to Floridians displaying Trump signs following last year’s back-to-back hurricanes,” the Longboat Key Republican said.
“This was a disgraceful abuse of power that put lives and property at risk for purely partisan reasons. I was proud to lead a letter last year demanding answers, and now that the truth is coming to light, those responsible must be held fully accountable. If criminal conduct occurred, they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. No American should be denied emergency assistance because of their political beliefs.”
Notably, former FEMA Administrator DeAnne Criswell, who led the agency under Biden, denied in congressional testimony last year that the discrimination was common practice. She said after reports first emerged of the Lake Placid homes being passed over, the field director in charge of response was fired.
“More than 22,000 FEMA employees every day adhere to FEMA’s core values and are dedicated to helping people before, during and after disasters, often sacrificing time with their own families to help disaster survivors,” Criswell posted on social media at the time.
“Recently, a FEMA employee departed from these values to advise her survivor assistance team not to go to homes with yard signs supporting President-elect Trump. This is a clear violation of FEMA’s core values and principles to help people regardless of their political affiliation. This was reprehensible.”
Criswell hasn’t addressed the latest report, but Michael Cohen, a FEMA Chief of Staff during Criswell’s tenure, told The Hill that the report could spotlight only a handful of instances in which FEMA workers took notes on individuals’ political affiliations. And he said those notes were just part of a file with no indication they impacted the aid ultimately administered.
“This is notes about why they maybe didn’t go to a house,” he said. “There’s no findings about discriminating against people because of their political beliefs or any other protected class that I can see. DHS said it is referring concerns about Privacy Act violations to the Justice Department, though it did not make clear whether any individuals could face charges.”
Stopping shutdowns?
Sen. Ashley Moody questions why Congress’ failure to reach a budget agreement means the federal government must stop serving the people.
The Plant City Republican this week announced she will co-sponsor the Eliminate Shutdowns Act (S 2806), which would prevent a shutdown such as the one now in its 28th day, even if Congress hasn’t enacted a new budget before the end of the fiscal year.
Instead, the bill, as written, would trigger an automatic 14-day continuing resolution to keep the government funded using the previous year’s appropriations. Every two weeks, a similar extension would automatically go into effect, but Congress still could not pass its own funding legislation.
“The Democrats have been holding the American people hostage for more than 20 days now — and each day the Schumer Shutdown continues is another day that our troops, law enforcement officers, federal and essential workers go without pay,” Moody said.
“As one of the country’s newest Senators, I’m working hard to bring sanity to D.C., and that’s why I’m cosponsoring the Eliminate Shutdowns Act so our government can remain open and working for the American people.”
Independent oversight?
Is the ethics watchdog at the Federal Reserve just carrying water for the agency’s leadership? It’s a concern for Sen. Rick Scott, and one he shares with colleagues on both sides of the aisle.
Scott sent a letter with Sens. Cynthia Lummis, a Mississippi Republican, and Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, to Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell, demanding to know why current Fed Inspector General Michael Horowitz has lobbied Senators against legislation that could make his post more independent.
“It is concerning and perplexing that some of your employees of the Federal Reserve would devote significant time and energy advocating against legislation that would implement healthy oversight and ensure the Fed and its employees are held accountable,” the letter reads.
“It is also concerning that the Fed’s inspector general, who is meant to serve as an ethics watchdog at the agency on behalf of the American people, would advocate against this legislation, which aims to fix the existing reporting structure that currently incentivizes him to overlook violations, do the bidding of you and the Federal Reserve Board, and shield bad actors.”
Scott has been a fierce critic of Powell, who was appointed in Trump’s first term but has increasingly been at odds with the administration over interest rates and agency spending.
The Naples Republican filed a bill with Lummis and Warren earlier this year that would make the Inspector General a Senate-confirmed position rather than an appointment by the Federal Reserve Chair.
Requiring reconstruction
Every woman faced with breast cancer should have access to the same health care options, regardless of what insurance carrier they use, according to Rep. Kat Cammack.
The Gainesville Republican filed the Advancing Women’s Health Coverage Act, a bipartisan bill she introduced with Rep. Debbie Dingell, a Michigan Democrat. That legislation would require insurance companies to cover reconstructive options for patients, including implant-based procedures and advanced microsurgical and combination techniques. That coverage would be guaranteed under the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System.
“Women should be fighting cancer rather than insurance companies. Every woman battling breast cancer deserves access to the best care modern medicine can offer — not limits based on outdated insurance codes & bureaucratic red tape,” Cammack said.
“For too long, survivors have been denied coverage for proven reconstructive options that restore confidence, dignity, and quality of life. This bill puts patients back in charge, ensuring their recovery, health and confidence aren’t dictated by a system stuck in the 1990s.”
Dingell said it was wrong for some carriers to treat reconstruction as a cosmetic luxury.
“Reconstructive surgery is not just about appearance — it’s a part of the healing process that helps patients recover both physically and emotionally,” she said.
Plastic surgery physicians across the country hailed the legislation.
“The updates are not just about procedures, but about patient autonomy and choice,” said Dr. Babak Mehrara, president of The Plastic Surgery Foundation. “Modernization ensures breast cancer patients are fully supported with care from diagnosis through recovery.”
FEMA still helping
Massive flooding in Central Florida, where some parts of Eustis saw 19 inches of rainfall on Sunday evening, has local lawmakers working with FEMA even amid a shutdown.
Rep. Randy Fine, an Atlantic Coast Republican, spoke to the press at the scene of some of the washed-out roads.
“I heard about the issues here in my district. I wanted to come over and see them, and I wanted to tell everyone here that we will be committed to do what we can, at the federal level, to help with the infrastructure issues,” Fine said.
“And I’m grateful not only to my staff that is here, but to the FEMA staff that we have coordinated with, all of whom are working unpaid thanks to the Democrats’ decision to shut down the government.”
FEMA disaster relief has been deemed an essential service and remains open. Workers are required to come in and will eventually receive back pay, but checks are not being issued now. Services for individuals impacted by disasters will continue to be paid from the Disaster Relief Fund as long as funds are available.
NASA on track
Rep. Mike Haridopolos said a federal shutdown hasn’t impacted the timeline for major NASA missions to date. But he worries that the longer workers go without pay, the more the U.S. could be slowed down in the modern space race.
The Indian Harbour Beach Republican told Florida Politics he feels confident efforts like the current moon mission remain on track.
“The good news is that Artemis II is still on track and people are still working on these programs,” Haridopolos said. “Unfortunately, I think some of the other issues that might come up along the line could be delayed.”
Haridopolos said NASA, like many federal agencies, has seen many workers decline to come into work without a paycheck. Oct. 24 marked the first day workers missed out on an entire pay period.
“The practical matter is, when you shut down the government, you’re having a lot of people stay home,” Haridopolos said. “Now, fortunately, these people, in their case, will be paid despite not working. But you’re still running into just a challenge. Every time you have to stop and start, we all know in any business, you’re going to run into problems.”
He expressed hope that most NASA workers will stay on the job even as Congress remains at a stalemate on a budget resolution.
“If we’re going to win this space race, we need all hands on deck, especially since they’re going to be paid one way or another, even if it’s a delayed payment,” he said.
Haridopolos noted that private contractors are involved in the Artemis II mission, which helps preserve the Kennedy Space Center’s timetable. NASA has said workers on Artemis missions working with SpaceX and Blue Origin, private space companies, must continue work through the shutdown, as reported by CNBC.
Ruthless efficiency
Rep Byron Donalds is calling for property tax reform and improvements to Florida’s infrastructure as he also weighed in on the federal government shutdown at Monday’s Future of Florida Forum.
Donalds, widely considered a leading candidate for Governor in 2026, addressed the crowd for about 20 minutes on a variety of subjects at the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting in Orlando.
Donalds said he favors repealing homestead property taxes, though he warned that critical public services, like police and fire, or road work, must be funded.
“Local governments, state government, we have a responsibility to be ruthlessly efficient with the people’s money,” he said.
One important issue facing the Sunshine State is improving infrastructure — including wastewater treatment, Donalds said.
“This is a tough subject. Nobody wants to be engaged in it except, frankly, people who sit on City Councils and County Commissions,” Donalds said. “I believe that you have to have a sound plan, a strategy, of how you address these things going into the future. We cannot put our heads in the sand and ignore it because that crappy issue will back up, and I’m not joking.”
Meanwhile, Donalds predicted the federal shutdown would last one or two more weeks because of growing pressure points, including federal workers — like Transportation Security Administration agents — not getting paid and Americans’ emergency food benefits running out.
“How long is the shutdown going to last?” Donalds said at the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort and Spa during the conference. “The truth of the matter is the person who truly knows is the Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.”
Wage gap awareness
Wage gaps exist between men and women and between the disabled and able-bodied. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick hopes to draw attention to those inequities with a resolution marking Oct. 23 as Disabled Women’s Equal Pay Day.
“Our workforce deserves equity and respect. The fact that disabled women veterans earned, on average, just 62 cents for every dollar paid to non-disabled male veterans in 2022 is unacceptable,” the Miramar Democrat said.
“Equal pay is not only a matter of fairness, but also a matter of dignity and justice. Disabled women contribute to every sector of our economy, and their work must be valued and compensated accordingly.”
It’s also a matter of law. Cherfilus-McCormick noted that the Equal Pay Act has outlawed pay discrimination since 1963, yet the wage gap persists. Most disabled women with four years of college education make just $55,000, less than most non-disabled men who never finished a degree, the resolution states.
The Florida lawmaker filed the resolution with Rep. Ayanna Pressley, a Massachusetts Democrat, and with women’s groups and disabled advocates, who are backing the proposal.
“Unequal pay and inaccessible workplaces aren’t just unfair, they’re disabling,” said Kenrya Rankin, managing director at Disability Culture Lab.
“Black disabled women are in a particularly difficult place right now, as we face record job losses and juggle caregiving for our children, our parents, and ourselves. And capitalism — plus the current administration — demand that we do it all without accommodations. We need to invest in Black women, but this administration would rather implement policies that further disable us.”
China negotiation
China entered a trade agreement during Trump’s first term to purchase at least $200 million in U.S. goods in 2020 and 2021. But to date, imports have never come close.
As Trump travels in Asia, the new administration wants answers as to why. House Foreign Affairs Chair Brian Mast said he does as well.
“China reneged on their 2020 agreement with President Trump to buy $200 billion worth of American goods,” the Stuart Republican said. “They had the audacity to cite the COVID-19 pandemic — which they literally started — as their reason. This is unacceptable, and we thank President Trump for holding them to the deal they made.”
United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer last week announced an investigation into whether China held up its end of any agreement and what consequences should follow.
“The initiation of this investigation underscores the Trump administration’s resolve to hold China to its Phase One Agreement commitments, protect American farmers, ranchers, workers, and innovators, and establish a more reciprocal trade relationship with China for the benefit of the American people,” Greer said.
Mar-a-Lago skies
Safety concerns arise when a President lives in the neighborhood, and the Secret Service has just implemented new year-round flight restrictions, including a 1-mile-radius no-fly zone around Palm Beach.
It’s something city officials want reconsidered, while Rep. Lois Frankel, a West Palm Beach Democrat, seeks more details on the reasoning.
“I hope we can find solutions that are compatible with the safety of the President, neighborhood quality of life, and traveler efficiency,” Frankel said. “That’s why I’ve requested a detailed briefing from the Secret Service to better understand these new restrictions and explore practical alternatives.”
The new rules also require pilots to move in a single direction, rather than allowing planes to scatter along multiple paths, but that has raised noise concerns for those in the flight path.
The Secret Service has agreed to discuss regulations with Frankel, but only after the federal shutdown ends.
Scorn for socialism
As members of the Democratic Socialists of America, most notably New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, have enjoyed political success, Florida Republicans are decrying socialism as a “failed ideology.”
Scott and Rep. María Elvira Salazar, a Coral Gables Republican, filed resolutions in both chambers of Congress that assert socialist policies lead to collective tyranny. The bill name-checks such infamous historical dictators as Cuba’s Fidel Castro and Russia’s Josef Stalin, as well as sitting world leaders like Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.
“History is clear: from Stalin’s gulags and Cambodia’s killing fields to Castro’s firing squads in Havana, socialism has always ended in misery, suffering, and death. Entire nations have been destroyed and millions of lives shattered, including many in my own community in Miami who fled its brutality,” Salazar said.
“I am proud to introduce this concurrent resolution denouncing the horrors of socialism in the House, alongside Sen. Rick Scott, to ensure Congress speaks with one voice in condemning socialism in all its forms, wherever it rears its ugly head. America must always stand as the light of liberty against the darkness of socialism and its false promises of equality.”
Scott said the threat isn’t just historical.
“Just look at Cuba and Venezuela, or talk to any of the thousands of families in my state of Florida who fled those regimes after evil dictators stripped them of every opportunity,” he said.
“Time and time again, socialism has led to the same, inevitable outcomes: misery, poverty, and oppression. It’s despicable to see far-left radicals villainizing capitalism — a system that has helped billions of Americans achieve their dreams — and try to tear down our country and rebuild it in their woke, radical image through socialist policies. The United States was built on individual freedoms and opportunities, and the right of every individual to pursue the American Dream despite coming from nothing, just like I did.”
On this day
Oct. 28, 1962 — “Russia orders withdrawal of missiles from Cuba” via History.com — Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev’s orders ended the Cuban missile crisis. U.S. spy planes flying over Cuba had photographed construction work on missile facilities. President John Kennedy announced a naval blockade to prevent the arrival of missiles and demanded that the Soviets dismantle and remove weapons already in Cuba. The situation was extremely tense and could have resulted in war between the United States and the Soviet Union. Still, at the last minute, Khrushchev turned the Soviet ships and agreed to dismantle and remove the weapons already there. Kennedy and his advisers had stared down the Soviets. The apparent capitulation was instrumental in Khrushchev’s being deposed in 1964.
Oct. 28, 1998 — “Bill Clinton signs digital copyright law” via The New York Times — President Clinton signed a key component of his agenda for fostering electronic commerce, but one that also changes traditional premises of copyright law. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act makes it illegal to circumvent digital rights management systems or encryption technologies that protect intellectual property on the internet. It also outlaws the manufacture and sale of devices used to crack those wrappers. Hailed as a compromise in one of the first complex battles to transfer rules from the physical world into cyberspace, the law’s enactment marks a victory for the entertainment and software industries, which want to begin selling more goods online.
Happy birthday
Best wishes to Donalds, who turns 47 today, Oct. 28.
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Peter Schorsch publishes Delegation, compiled by Jacob Ogles, edited and assembled by Phil Ammann and Ryan Nicol, with contributions by Gabrielle Russon.
Good Wednesday morning.
Two weeks after announcing its first round of 2026 promotions, LSN Partners is following up with a couple more as it continues expanding its local, state and federal practices.
Round two includes elevating Nicole Gomez Goldmeier to Chief Growth Officer and Jackie Arboleda to Chief Marketing and Community Relations Officer.
Gomez Goldmeier previously served as COO at LSN Partners. In her new role, she will drive revenue growth and business development for the firm, focusing on strengthening long-standing client relationships, expanding into key markets driven by client demand and supporting strategic engagement.
“Nicole understands our clients and the public-sector landscape in a way that few people do,” said Alex Heckler, founder and Managing Partner of LSN Partners. “She has played a central role in how we build relationships, identify opportunities, and position the firm for long-term success. This role formalizes the work she has already been leading.”
Arboleda, meanwhile, will oversee the firm’s marketing, communications, brand positioning and community engagement, ensuring that LSN’s messaging, events, and external presence reflect the firm’s strategic priorities and client-focused initiatives.
“Jackie has helped shape how clients experience and engage with LSN and how the firm is perceived in the market,” Heckler said. “Her understanding of our clients, our culture, and our mission allows her to deliver results at the highest level, whether in our health care practice or driving the firm’s communications strategy.”
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Florida tourism and hospitality heavyweights will show up in force today at the Capitol to highlight the Sunshine State’s signature industry and make the case for continued state investment.
Groups participating in Florida Tourism Day at the Capitol include the Florida Attractions Association, Florida Association of Museums, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, Florida RV Park and Campground Association, Destinations Florida, and VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s tourism marketing arm.
The cohort will spend the day meeting with lawmakers to emphasize the industry’s role as one of Florida’s primary economic drivers, top employers and major state revenue generators.
“The success of Florida’s tourism industry, and the economic and jobs benefits our state reaps from it, are the direct result of statewide and local tourism promotion efforts,” said Destinations Florida Executive Director Robert Skrob.
Florida Attractions Association President and CEO Bill Lupfer added, “Tourism is a cornerstone of Florida’s economy, supporting jobs, communities and public services statewide. No destination in the world matches Florida’s number, quality and diversity of guest experiences or the cutting-edge service delivered by our attractions, making continued investment in tourism essential to sustaining our global leadership.”
According to a recent VISIT FLORIDA study, travelers spent a record $134.9 billion in the state in 2024 — up 3% from the prior year — and nearly all of it remained in Florida’s economy, with 59 cents of each dollar going directly to worker salaries. Meanwhile, tourism-related tax revenue reached $33.6 billion, while tourism-supported employment grew to 1.8 million jobs statewide.
VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO Bryan Griffin said the topline numbers translate to an estimated $2,000 in tax savings per Florida family, adding that his agency “remains diligently focused on partnering with Florida’s tourism industry and serving Florida’s residents through our important work.”
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If something isn’t broken, don’t fix it — especially not behind closed doors.
That’s the message coming through in a new poll by The Tyson Group gauging public sentiment on a proposed shared services agreement between the North and South Broward Hospital districts.
The survey, conducted Dec. 8-10, asked likely Broward County voters whether they approve or disapprove of the health care services currently available in the county. Nearly two-thirds (65%) said they approve, including 30% who strongly approve. Just 22% said they disapprove of Broward’s health services.
When asked whether the North and South Broward Hospital Districts should be allowed to change how they operate “without triggering the legal requirements, transparency, or voter approval normally required for a full merger,” nearly three-quarters of respondents (73%) said no, including 62% who said “definitely no.”
The polling comes after Rep. Hillary Cassel and Sen. Joe Gruters filed bills largely similar to 2025 legislation that critics warned would open a backdoor to a merger, allowing the districts to bypass public scrutiny, regulatory review and possibly a countywide referendum otherwise required under state law.
“Once voters understood that the shared services agreement would go into effect without public review or voter approval, it was impossible to generate support. Each message we tested reinforced the negative perception that the shared services agreement was a shady deal designed to circumvent quality control,” the polling memo reads.
By the end of the poll, just 21% supported a shared services agreement, with 63% opposed, including 47% who said they “strongly oppose” the deal.
— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —
Tweet, tweet:
Tweet, tweet:
—@Sen_Hooper: Thank you, Sen. @NickDiCeglie for working to provide relief for our hurricane-ravished counties while protecting our greatest resources and land. Thank you for listening to our constituents who have diligently advocated on the issues addressed in SB 840.
Tweet, tweet:
Tweet, tweet:
Tweet, tweet:
Tweet, tweet:
— DAYS UNTIL —
‘Melania’ documentary premieres — 9; The Grammy Awards — 11; Florida TaxWatch State of the Taxpayer Dinner — 15; Milano Cortina Olympic & Paralympic Games begin — 16; ‘Paradise’ season two premieres on Hulu — 33; ‘Yellowstone’ spinoff ‘Y: Marshals’ premieres — 39; Boca Raton Mayoral referendums and City Council Elections — 48; last day of the Regular Session — 51; The Oscars — 53; ‘Peaky Blinders’ movie premieres on Netflix — 58; Special Election for SD 14, HD 87, HD 51 and HD 52 — 62; Yankees-Giants Opening Day matchup / Netflix’s first exclusive MLB stream — 63; MLB 14-game Opening Day slate — 64; new season of ‘Your Friends And Neighbors’ premieres on Apple+ — 72; Tampa Bay Rays first game at the newly repaired Tropicana Field — 75; Florida TaxWatch Spring Meeting begins — 84; MLB Jackie Robinson Day — 84; First Qualifying Period begins (Federal) — 89; Federal Qualifying Period ends — 93; F1 Miami begins — 100; ‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu’ premieres — 121; new mission for ‘Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run’ premieres at Disney World — 121; MLB Lou Gehrig Day — 132; Second Qualifying Period begins (State) — 138; South Africa in the FIFA World Cup opener in Mexico City — 141; Steven Spielberg’s ‘Disclosure Day’ premieres — 142; State Qualifying Period ends — 142; ‘Toy Story 5’ premieres in theaters — 149; Florida GOP’s statewide debates for the Primary in its ‘Sunshine State Showdown’ — 156; Mexico will face live-action ‘Moana’ premieres — 161; Primary Election: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters — 164; Primary Election: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters — 169; MLB All-Star Game — 174; Domestic Primary Election VBM Ballots Mailed deadline — 176; Primary Election: Deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation — 180; Primary Election: Deadline to request that ballot be mailed — 197; Primary Election: Early voting period begins (mandatory period) — 199; Primary Election Day — 209; Yankees host the Mets to mark the anniversary of 9/11 — 233; MLB Roberto Clemente Day — 237; General Election: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters — 241; General Election: Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters — 246; Domestic General Election VBM Ballots Mailed deadline — 253; General Election: Deadline to register to vote — 257; Early Voting General Election mandatory period begins — 276; 2026 General Election — 286; ‘Godzilla Minus Zero‘ premieres — 289; ‘Dune: Part 3’ premieres — 331; ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ premieres — 331; untitled ‘Star Wars’ movie premieres — 331; 2027 College Football Playoff national title game in Las Vegas — 369: Tampa Mayoral Election — 405; Jacksonville First Election — 426; Jacksonville General Election — 482; ‘Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse’ premieres — 500; ‘Bluey The Movie’ premieres — 562; ‘The Batman 2’ premieres — 618; ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ premieres — 695; 2028 College Football Playoff national title game in New Orleans — 733; Los Angeles Olympics Opening Ceremony — 905; U.S. Presidential Election — 1021; 2029 College Football Playoff national title game in Tampa — 1,097; ‘Avatar 4’ premieres — 1421; 2030 College Football Playoff national title games in Miami — 1,461; ‘Avatar 5’ premieres — 2152.
— TOP STORY —
“Florida State Guard officers accuse leaders of fraud, waste and negligence” via Jeffrey Schweers of the Orlando Sentinel — Allegations of financial mismanagement, sexual harassment and retaliation inside the Florida State Guard have triggered a wave of resignations and forced departures, raising new questions about oversight of the mostly volunteer force revived by Gov. Ron DeSantis three years ago.
Current and former guard members accuse Executive Director Mark Thieme of misusing taxpayer funds, including racking up roughly $100,000 in flight time and related costs to obtain a personal private pilot’s license and approving millions of dollars in aircraft purchases and parts they say were unnecessary or incompatible with existing equipment.
The turmoil comes as the guard’s budget has grown to more than $35 million annually and its mission expanded from disaster response and public safety to include immigration enforcement, prompting critics to label it the Governor’s private army.
The latest high-profile departure is Master Sergeant Major Michael Pintacura, a U.S. Army Special Forces veteran, who resigned Jan. 14, citing a loss of confidence in Thieme’s leadership and warning that poor planning and informal pressure were putting guard members at risk.
Pintacura’s exit follows the ouster of Lt. Col. Jordan Bowen and the resignation of several other officers and volunteers who say they faced retaliation after raising concerns about spending, mission authorization and accountability.
Guard member Jonathan Howard, a retired Air Force service member, said the organization is “imploding from the inside” and that repeated attempts to alert the Governor’s office, including meetings with Chief of Staff Jason Weida, went nowhere.
Neither Thieme nor the Governor’s office responded to requests for comment. Separately, a federal sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a female guard member over a 2024 border mission is pending trial later this year, adding to scrutiny of the agency’s leadership and culture.
— STATEWIDE —
“James Fishback pushes White nationalism into Florida GOP’s race for Governor” via Claire Heddles and Garrett Shanley of the Miami Herald — By all traditional measures, Fishback’s campaign for Governor is a political dead end: he’s barely raised any money, has never run for office before and is plagued by scandals. A hedge fund employer successfully sued Fishback for more than $200,000, which Fishback told the court he’s unable to pay. Broward County Schools says it cut ties with his debate program over concerns about his “failure to follow district safeguards” with students. And he has been condemned by other Republicans for his promotion of White nationalist ideas and a near-constant firehose of inflammatory social media posts.
“James Uthmeier releases new fraud claims tied to pot initiative just days before petition deadline” via Arek Sarkissian of POLITICO — Attorney General Uthmeier unveiled new claims in an ongoing fraud investigation by his office into a ballot initiative seeking to permit recreational pot use for adults. In a news release, Uthmeier alleged that at least 50 Smart & Safe Florida staffers were suspected of turning in thousands of fraudulent petitions on behalf of the campaign. In some cases, Uthmeier said, staffers allegedly continued to gather petitions signed by voters despite being part of several ongoing criminal investigations about the fraudulent petitions. These details marked what the Attorney General called a “major escalation” in the case, prompting Uthmeier’s statewide prosecutor, Brad McVay, to send a letter to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Happening today — Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia will hold a news conference in Fernandina Beach, offering an opportunity for statewide officials to address issues under the CFO’s purview and signal priorities to local leaders and residents in Northeast Florida. The event is open to credentialed media and comes as financial oversight, insurance and fiscal policy remain active topics in Tallahassee: 2:30 p.m. Location and more details upon RSVP with Abigail Weeks at [email protected].
“New forecasts paint grim picture for Florida’s state worker health insurance program” via Gary Fineout of POLITICO — Florida’s health insurance program for state workers is projected to face a deficit of more than $2 billion by 2031, according to new forecasts released this month, deepening concerns for lawmakers as they craft the state budget. Economists have already warned of a shortfall next fiscal year, but the latest estimates are larger than those issued in August. The trust fund supporting the program, which covers nearly 200,000 enrollees, is expected to end the current fiscal year in the black before slipping into a $360 million deficit by mid-2027 and continue to deteriorate. Rising medical costs are driving the gap. Lawmakers may need to inject cash, raise premiums or cut expenses after DeSantis vetoed a drug formulary proposal last year and recommended keeping premiums flat in his budget.
— BIG BILL OF THE DAY —
“Florida Senate panel advances data center bills amid industry concerns” via Bruce Ritchie of POLITICO — A state Senate Committee on Tuesday unanimously advanced legislation aimed at regulating data centers, a fast-growing sector tied to artificial intelligence, signaling continued momentum for the industry even as lawmakers weigh utility and transparency concerns.
The Senate Committee on Regulated Industries voted 8-0 to approve a regulatory bill directing the Public Service Commission to establish minimum rate requirements to ensure utility customers are not saddled with higher costs driven by the significant power demands of data centers.
Supporters framed the measure as a way to provide certainty and fairness while allowing data center development to continue. Representatives of Associated Industries of Florida raised caution about potential hurdles but stopped short of opposing the bill.
Developers emphasized Florida’s competitiveness. Jon Brown of DCIP Group, which is planning a 2 million-square-foot data center in DeSoto County, urged Senators to exempt self-powered facilities, noting his project will rely on a gas-fueled generating plant rather than the grid.
The Committee also advanced a second bill creating a 12-month public records exemption for local government data center planning documents, a move supporters say protects sensitive negotiations and encourages investment during early development stages.
The legislation advances alongside DeSantis’ broader artificial intelligence agenda, though Senate leaders appear to favor a more streamlined approach than the proposals pending in the House, which include additional approval layers and site restrictions.
Despite criticism from some open government advocates and a dissenting vote from State Sen. Jason Pizzo on the records bill, sponsor State Sen. Bryan Ávila said he will continue refining the measures. Both bills now head to additional Committees, as Florida positions itself to attract and retain large-scale data center projects critical to future economic growth.
— LEGISLATIVE —
Protecting vaccines, patients and public health — Lawmakers are considering a bill that could weaken the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, a long-standing system that helps people with rare vaccine injuries while protecting public health. The program allows claims to be handled without lawsuits and helps keep vaccines available and affordable. Senate Bill 408 would allow new state-level lawsuits related to vaccine advertising and give people up to three years to file claims. Critics warn the change could raise costs, increase legal risk, and create confusion without making vaccines safer. They also say it could discourage manufacturers from producing vaccines. The bill passed narrowly in the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and will next be reviewed by the Senate Health Policy Committee.
“Vax manufacturers could get hauled into court under bill moving in the Senate” via Christine Sexton of Florida Phoenix — Manufacturers that advertise vaccines in Florida that cause injury or harm could be sued under a bill sponsored by Erin Grall. Over objections from lobbyists representing organized medicine and business interests, the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries voted 5-3 Tuesday to pass the proposal, SB 408. Specifically, the bill would amend Florida law regulating drugs and cosmetics to allow an individual to file a lawsuit within three years following an alleged vaccine-related injury. The bill would provide one-way attorney fees, allowing any claimant who wins to recover “reasonable attorney fees” but not allowing winning defendants to do the same. Traditionally, in Florida, one-way fees have been intended to balance the interests of ordinary people against those of deep-pocketed interests.
—“House panel approves bill to expand Uthmeier’s power to target physicians” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics
—”Bill targets ‘aiding and abetting’ gender-affirming care for minors” via Tristan Wood of WFSU
“Joe Gruters’ bill restricting public pot smoking clears first Senate stop” via Jesse Mendoza of Florida Politics — A proposal that would ban smoking and vaping marijuana in public places has cleared its first Senate Committee stop. The Senate Regulated Industries Committee voted to advance a bill (SB 986) sponsored by Sarasota Republican Sen. Gruters to amend the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act to prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana products in public places. The measure was presented to the Committee by Doral Republican Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez, the bill’s co-sponsor, on Gruters’ behalf. “There is currently no prohibition on smoking marijuana in public places if adult use is approved by the voters,” Rodriguez told the Committee.
“Nick DiCeglie’s fix to an unpopular hurricane recovery law gains steam with Judiciary Committee approval” via Jesse Mendoza of Florida Politics — A bill aimed at dialing back unintended consequences of Florida’s post-hurricane recovery law cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee without opposition. SB 840, sponsored by Pinellas County Republican Sen. DiCeglie, would revise portions of a bill approved last year (SB 180) that was intended to prevent local governments from delaying rebuilding after major storms. SB 180 has since drawn criticism from cities and counties statewide for limiting policy decisions not related to storm recovery. DiCeglie said the law largely achieved its emergency preparedness goals, but that SB 840 clarifies two provisions that create roadblocks for local governments making comprehensive plan updates or policy decisions not directly related to storm recovery.
“Development bills get go-ahead” via Jim Turner of the News Service of Florida — Proposals that would allow single-family homes on some property zoned for agriculture and make it more difficult for local governments to increase impact fees started to move forward Tuesday in the Florida Senate. The Senate Committee on Affairs approved two bills by Chair Stan McClain that are being watched closely by environmental groups.
“Senate Committee passes bills on curtailing ‘forever chemicals’ use” via Kylie Williams of POLITICO — Two bills aiming to protect residents and the environment from harmful “forever chemicals” passed unanimously through a state Senate panel, with one moving to bar local governments from paper straw use mandates. The Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources approved SB 958, a measure that requires local governments to uphold specific environmental and public health standards when regulating drinking straws. Under the bill, straws must be renewable, biodegradable and compostable in order to be enforced as an alternative. Sen. Jennifer Bradley, Fleming Island Republican, sponsored the bill and said it will prevent local ordinances from mandating the use of paper straws.
“House panel OKs bill to restore the Ocklawaha River” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics — A House Subcommittee unanimously approved a bill to restore the Ocklawaha River that drew strong praise from environmentalists and fierce opposition from local officials in Putnam County. The mixed public feedback on HB 981 makes it clear that the legislation to remove the river’s dam remains controversial, following DeSantis’ veto of $6.25 million in funding for Ocklawaha River restoration during the 2025 Session. “It’s a local decision. It’s a local issue. It needs to stay local,” said Putnam County Commissioner Larry Harvey, who voiced concerns about West Putnam lakes drying up. “Putnam County wasn’t considered locally. We’ve never been asked about this. We don’t want this.
— MORE LEGISLATIVE —
“Adam Anderson’s push for more genetic counselors in Florida clears first hurdle” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics — Rep. Anderson has successfully ushered through its first Committee stop legislation that would address a shortage of genetic counselors and strengthen the state’s capacity for advanced medical care and genetic research. Anderson’s bill (HB 1115) cleared the Careers and Workforce Subcommittee. It would establish the Genetic Counseling Education Enhancement Grant Program within Florida’s State University System to support the development of American Board of Genetic Counseling-accredited graduate-level genetic counseling programs to eliminate Florida’s status as a genetic counseling desert. “The need for health care professionals in the Sunshine State cannot be understated,” Anderson said.
“Senate advances Jason Pizzo bill extending PTSD workers’ comp coverage to 911 dispatchers” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Legislation that would classify 911 dispatchers as first responders for purposes of workers’ compensation coverage for work-related psychological injuries advanced Tuesday unanimously in the Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee. The bill, SB 774, would allow dispatchers to receive benefits for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety stemming from traumatic calls, placing them under the same mental health claims framework as other first responders. Sponsor Sen. Jason Pizzo said dispatchers routinely experience repeated trauma that does not end when calls conclude. Dispatchers, mental health professionals and law enforcement groups testified in support, describing graphic and cumulative exposure to emergencies. Lawmakers said the bill corrects a long-standing oversight. SB 774 now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee, while a House companion awaits its first hearing.
Bill boosting student athlete protections clears Senate Committee — Sen. Shevrin Jones’ bill to require the Florida High School Athletic Association adopt bylaws allowing coaches to use their personal funds — within reasonable limits — to provide essential support such as food, transportation and recovery services to the students they coach earned unanimous approval in the Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee. Under SB 178, coaches may contribute up to $15,000 per team per year, provided that all such contributions are made in good faith and reported to the FHSAA. These contributions, used for critical needs, such as transportation, food, and health care, will be presumed not to be “impermissible benefits,” ensuring that coaches can assist students without fear of violating compliance rules. “Coaches play such an important role in kids’ lives and development, stepping in with much-needed support when student athletes need it most,” Jones said. “This bill ensures fairness, accountability, and flexibility to provide the resources students need.”
“Senate panel advances bill establishing task force to propose e-bike regulations” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — A Senate bill proposing more regulations on e-bikes and scooters is gaining traction, though with some modifications. The Senate Transportation Committee unanimously approved a measure (SB 382) sponsored by Sen. Keith Truenow, a Tavares Republican, which calls for increased regulation and data collection on e-bikes and scooters. Those devices have grown in popularity in recent years, and more accidents involving them have occurred. In the Committee meeting, Truenow said he provided a strike-all amendment to revise his original draft of the bill. “As we know, it’s been a fad for a lot of reasons,” Truenow said of the growing popularity of e-bikes. “They’re causing more and more problems.”
“Lawmakers take second look at law seen as gift to developers” via John Kennedy of USA Today Network — A law blocking cities and counties from enacting new restrictions on developers would be scaled back under a measure advancing in the Florida Senate – although it may not go far enough, some critics say. The law approved last year is a broad emergency management measure that bars local governments from imposing planning requirements seen as “more restrictive or burdensome” than those already on the books. Opponents derided it as a political gift to builders and developers, whose industry lobbied hard for its passage during the last Legislative Session. The measure now is being challenged in court, with more than two dozen cities and counties calling it the “largest incursion into local home rule authority” in Florida’s modern history. It’s also led to a host of planning proposals being put on hold or repealed outright, drawing loud complaints from many community groups.
“‘Bumper crop’ of public records exemptions face tests in Session” via Margie Menzel of Florida Trident — Florida lawmakers are considering roughly 40 proposals this year that would create new exemptions to the state’s public records laws, alarming open government advocates who say transparency is being steadily eroded. Florida has long been viewed as a national leader on access to government, but critics warn that the volume and scope of the exemptions mark a troubling shift. The proposals range from shielding personal information of judicial employees to restricting access to records involving local governments, law enforcement, health professionals and regulatory agencies. Advocates argue that many bills fail to meet the legal requirement of proving a public benefit that outweighs the Sunshine Law. At the same time, bipartisan legislation is moving to strengthen access, underscoring a broader debate over privacy, safety, and the public’s constitutional right to know how government operates.
“‘Our laws allowed this to happen’: Legislators take action after child’s murder” via the Tallahassee Democrat — Legislation dubbed “Missy’s Law,” named for 5-year-old Missy Mogle, cleared its first Committee stops Tuesday in both chambers of the Florida Legislature, advancing a proposal to require judges to immediately jail defendants convicted of certain dangerous crimes while they await sentencing. The House version passed the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee 16-1, while the Senate measure received unanimous approval in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee. The bills stem from Missy’s abuse-related death in 2024, which occurred while her stepfather was free on bond following a conviction in an unrelated case. Supporters, including Missy’s grandparents, urged swift passage, saying the change is needed to protect children and public safety. Critics raised concerns about judicial discretion and constitutional issues as the measures move forward.
— LEG. SKED. —
Big day for advocacy — It’s a packed advocacy day in Tallahassee as the Florida Capitol fills up with Santa Fe College Day at the Capitol, Florida Young Republicans Legislative Days, Kappa Alpha Psi Day, Junior Leagues of Florida Day, LeadingAge Southeast Florida Legislative Days, Florida Tourism Day, Clerks’ Day at the Capitol, FSU Day at the Capitol and YMCA Advocacy Days, all unfolding across the Capitol Complex. Adding to the bustle, the Florida Association of Counties holds its Legislative Day at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center, while the Florida Cattlemen’s Association brings its Boots on the Hill to the Florida Historic Capitol Museum, turning the entire downtown area into a full-scale policy pressure cooker.
8 a.m.
House Commerce Committee, Room 212, Knott Building.
— HB 0433, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (Alvarez).
— HB 0543, Transportation (McFarland).
— HB 0863, Arbitration for disputes with Citizens Property Insurance Co. (Benarroch).
House Health and Human Services Committee, Room 17, House Office Building.
— HB 0013, Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact (Hunschofsky).
— HB 0085, Swimming Lesson Voucher Program (Kendall).
— HB 0301, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Autonomous Practice (Shoaf).
— HB 0375, Autonomous Practice by a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (Giallombardo).
8:30 a.m.
Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee, Room 110, Senate Office Building.
— SB 0214, Special District Funding (McClain).
— SB 0482, Artificial intelligence bill of rights (Leek).
— SB 7030, Public records investigations by the Department of Legal Affairs (Commerce and Tourism).
— SB 0554, Nonprofit corporations (Bernard).
— SB 0994, Florida Kratom Consumer Protection Act (Gruters).
— SB 0998, Department of Commerce (Yarborough).
— SB 1004, Sale of dogs and cats (Gaetz).
— SB 1074, One-cent piece (Gaetz).
— SB 1076, Research and development tax credit (Calatayud).
— SB 1266, Cybersecurity internships (Calatayud).
Senate Education Postsecondary Committee, Room 301, Senate Office Building.
— SB 0194, Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance (Martin).
— SB 1246, Health science workforce shortages (Davis).
Senate Ethics and Elections Committee, Room 37, Senate Office Building.
— SB 0964, Financial disclosures (Wright).
9 a.m.
State Board of Education Meeting, Tallahassee State College.
9:15 a.m.
House Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee, Room 404, House Office Building.
— HB 0105, Local government enforcement actions (Brackett).
— HB 0131, Curators of estates (Maggard).
— HB 0135, Self-storage spaces (Smith).
— HB 0481, Public nuisance abatement (Booth).
— HB 0737, Persons disqualified from being appointed as a guardian (Botana).
— HB 0797, Nonprofit corporations (Tuck).
— HB 1009, Governmental agency publication of advertisements and public… (Griffitts Jr.).
— HB 1105, Interpersonal violence injunctions (Booth).
9:30 a.m.
Joint EDR Revenue Estimating Conference, Room 117, Knott Building.
10 a.m.
House Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee, Room 102, House Office Building.
— HB 0867, Dry needling by occupational therapists (Anderson).
— HB 0303, Human trafficking training for nursing students (Bartleman).
House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee, Room 17, House Office Building.
— HB 0381, Office of Financial Regulation (Barnaby).
— HB 0427, Public adjuster contracts (Melo).
— HB 0767, Residential property insurance (Benarroch).
— HB 0777, Public Records Office of Financial Regulation (Barnaby).
— HB 0893, Trust fund interest for purposes approved by Supreme Court (Koster).
— HB 0895, Trustee settlement and discharge (Hodgers).
— HB 1399, Property insurance affiliates (Berfield).
11 a.m.
Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development, Room 110, Senate Office Building.
— SB 0216, Verification of reemployment assistance benefit eligibility (McClain).
— SB 0246, Specialty license plates Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC… (Gruters).
— SB 0356, Utility terrain vehicles (Wright).
— SB 0388, Specialty license plates Florida wildflower (Arrington).
— SB 0470, Fraternal Order of Police license plate (Wright).
— SB 0488, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (Massullo Jr.).
— SB 0490, Public records email addresses collected by the Department… (Massullo Jr.).
— SB 0528, Manufacturing (Truenow).
— SB 0584, Commercial driving schools (Ávila).
— SB 0594, Local housing assistance plans (Burton).
1 p.m.
House Government Operations Subcommittee, Room 404, House Office Building.
— HB 0031, Recognizing Judea and Samaria (Tramont).
— HB 0125, Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance (Benarroch).
— HB 0437, Public records (Andrade).
— HB 0603, Ethics for public employees (López).
— HB 0807, Noncriminal traffic infractions resulting in vehicle crashes (Melo).
— HB 0813, Firefighter cancer benefits and prevention (Busatta).
— HB 4005, City of Naples Airport Authority, Collier County (Botana).
— HB 0243, Electric bicycles, scooters and motorcycles (Benarroch).
House Housing, Agriculture and Tourism Subcommittee, Room 17, House Office Building.
— HB 0273, Special district funding (Johnson).
— HB 0637, Farm equipment (Griffitts Jr.).
— HB 0657, Community associations (Porras).
— HB 0837, Affordable housing (Busatta).
House Justice Budget Subcommittee, Room 314, House Office Building.
— HB 0397, Violations of pretrial release conditions for violent crimes (Daley).
— HB 0623, Felony battery (Gentry).
— HB 0759, Court fees (Smith).
House Student Academic Success Subcommittee, Room 102, House Office Building.
— HB 0461, Volunteering at polling locations (Michael).
— HB 1071, Education (Trabulsy).
1:30 p.m.
Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment and General Government, Room 412, Knott Building.
Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice, Room 37, Senate Office Building.
— SB 0032, Injunctions for protection (Sharief).
— SB 0210, Public records petitions for injunctions for protection Protection Against Serious Violence by a Known Person (Sharief).
— SB 0432, Controlled substances (Yarborough).
— SB 0504, Code inspector body cameras (Burgess).
— SB 0506, Public records body camera recordings recorded by a code ins… (Burgess).
— SB 0524, Department of Law Enforcement (Simon).
— SB 0676, Criminal offenses (Arrington).
Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education, Room 110, Senate Office Building.
4 p.m.
House Education Administration Subcommittee, Room 102, House Office Building.
— HB 0901, Diabetes research (Kincart Jonsson).
— HB 1119, Materials harmful to minors (Bankson).
— HB 4027, Hillsborough County Public Schools, Hillsborough County (Owen).
House Health Care Facilities and Systems Subcommittee, Room 404, House Office Building.
— HB 0697, Drug prices and coverage (Kincart Jonsson).
House State Administration Budget Subcommittee, Room 17, House Office Building.
5:30 p.m.
Florida Cattlemen’s Association Boots on the Hill, Florida Historic Capitol Museum.
Lunch is served — The Governors Club buffet menu for Wednesday: country fried steak with gravy topped with crispy onions, grouper gratinee with a Cajun cream sauce, baked mac and cheese, succotash, salad bar plus Caesar salad bowl, black bean soup, and sweet treats of the day for dessert. Buffets include a deluxe salad bar and chef’s daily soup. A full buffet is $15; soup and salad are $12. Both prices include a beverage, a choice of coffee, tea and soda.
— D.C. MATTERS —
“European nations weigh retaliation after Donald Trump’s Greenland threats” via Ellen Francis, Kate Brady, Leo Sands and Tobi Raji of The Washington Post — In London on Monday morning, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued his sharpest criticism yet of Trump’s threats, telling a news conference, “The use of tariffs against allies is completely wrong.” Starmer, citing harm to British workers and businesses, added: “A trade war is in no one’s interests.” Members of the European Union are considering imposing tariffs or measures targeting U.S. firms if diplomatic efforts fail to find an off-ramp with Trump, two European diplomats speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter told The Washington Post. The 27-nation bloc’s ambassadors debated the prospect of retaliation during a closed-door meeting in Brussels on Sunday afternoon, but there was a broad preference to try to de-escalate. France has pushed for a tougher response, using an instrument often dubbed the E.U.’s trade “bazooka,” which would allow targeting or restricting American services in Europe, a major profit center for U.S. tech giants.
“GOP’s culture of rebellion in slim majority imperils Mike Johnson agenda” via Emily Brooks and Mike Lillis of The Hill — In the earliest days of the new Session, Speaker Johnson and his leadership team have already had to swallow passage of Obamacare subsidies — a vote forced by a handful of GOP mavericks — then watched in helpless frustration as some of those same centrist rebels blocked a series of Republican labor bills that were expected to pass easily and return some wind back in the party’s sails. “It’s now become acceptable to use your leverage, because it’s a slim majority, to kind of just shift last-minute — shift the House, one way or another,” Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, a senior appropriator, said of the dynamic. And the way to change that? “Increase the numbers,” Diaz-Balart said. That won’t be easy. The struggle to pass even partisan messaging bills has not only highlighted the internal divisions within the restive Republican conference but also forecasts a stormy election year for GOP leaders.
“Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick arraignment put off again as lawyer retention remains an issue” via David Lyons of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — U.S. Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick of Broward County returned to a Miami federal courtroom to be arraigned on charges related to her alleged theft of $5 million in government relief funds. But the law firm that has been temporarily representing the Congresswoman requested and was granted another postponement after Miami attorney David Markus of Markus Moss PLLC advised a federal magistrate that there are still financial and “other complications” that need to be resolved before the firm can be permanently retained. U.S. Magistrate Enjolique Lett noted that the representation issue has been pending since Thanksgiving, about the time Cherfilus-McCormick made her first appearance.
“To their shock, Cubans in Florida are being deported in record numbers” via The New York Times — Cubans have long been treated differently than other immigrants, even when they entered the country illegally. That has changed under Trump. He has repatriated more than 1,600 Cubans in 2025. That is about double the number of Cubans who were repatriated in 2024. And in the years that Trump has been President, he has sent more Cubans back than his three predecessors. Those numbers are greater for Cubans who were deported by land into Mexico. Some of them had been in the United States for decades and built families and businesses, but were removed because of an old criminal conviction — say, from Miami’s infamous cocaine cowboys days in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Nowhere has the shock of treating Cubans like other migrants been felt more than in Florida, which was shaped in modern times by exiles of the 1959 Cuban Revolution.
— ELECTIONS —
Kat Cammack backs Evan Power for CD 2 — Republican U.S. Rep. Cammack is endorsing Republican Party of Florida Chair Power in the open race for Florida’s 2nd Congressional District. “I don’t back candidates who seek permission slips. I back fighters. That’s why I’m proud to endorse Evan Power for Congress,” she said. “… Evan doesn’t just talk about freedom, the Constitution and fiscal responsibility; he delivers. He knows our job is to serve the people, not grow government, appease special interests, or play nice with the swamp. If you want a rubber stamp, look elsewhere. If you want a conservative who will join me to secure the border, protect parents, defend life, back law enforcement, and put America First, then Evan Power is the fighter we need in Congress.” Power filed for CD 2 last week after incumbent U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn announced he wouldn’t seek another term representing the district, which covers parts of the Panhandle and Big Bend, including Tallahassee.
“Ola Hawatmeh’s CD 19 campaign notches endorsement from ‘MAGA Meg’ Weinberger” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Hawatmeh’s bid to succeed fellow Republican Byron Donalds in Florida’s 19th Congressional District is getting a boost from one of South Florida’s most prominent Trump-aligned state lawmakers. Palm Beach Gardens state Rep. Weinberger, dubbed “MAGA Meg” for the support she has given and received from Trump and his supporters, just threw her political influence behind Hawatmeh’s CD 19 campaign. She believes Hawatmeh, a health and wellness entrepreneur, is most likely to win in November and keep the U.S. House in GOP hands after the Midterms. “With Republicans needing to keep their slim majority in the U.S. House of Representatives,” Weinberger said in a statement, “we need more loyal America First Republicans like Ola to help President Donald Trump.”
“Michael Carbonara amasses $1.7M to challenge Debbie Wasserman Schultz” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Carbonara says he has raised $1.7 million to challenge Democratic U.S. Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “For far too long, Debbie Wasserman Schultz has been a fixture in Washington, and she’s done nothing to help working families struggling with inflation, high taxes and needless bureaucracy, while pushing policies that harm Florida families and take away their freedoms,” Carbonara said. “Her approach to government is rooted in Washington bureaucracy and big spending, not in accountability or affordability.” Of note, Wasserman Schultz had just over $1.6 million in cash on hand at the close of the third quarter. The Weston Democrat hasn’t announced quarterly numbers for the final three months of 2025.
“Lois Frankel backs Robin Peguero, says he’s ‘uniquely positioned’ to win race for CD 27” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — U.S. Rep. Frankel is joining a widening tent of supporters backing Democrat Peguero’s campaign for Florida’s 27th Congressional District. Frankel, a two-time Congresswoman representing parts of Palm Beach County, said Peguero has what it takes to “flip this seat and change the trajectory of South Florida.” “As a prosecutor and educator, Robin has a proven record of fighting for affordability and public safety. And as a first-generation Latino leader, he is uniquely positioned to connect with voters,” she said in a statement. “I am proud to endorse Robin and to get to work on his behalf.” Frankel is the first member of Florida’s Democratic congressional delegation to endorse Peguero in the CD 27 race.
“‘Ready to lead’: Uthmeier endorses Jon Maples for HD 87” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Fresh off a commanding Republican Primary win in the Special Election for the empty House District 87 seat, former Lake Clarke Shores Council member Maples has notched an endorsement from Florida’s top cop. Uthmeier announced on X that he is fully behind Maples, who he said will be “a principled voice in Tallahassee.” “Jon Maples brings real-life experience, strong values and a deep commitment to Florida families. He understands the challenges facing our state and is ready to lead with common sense,” he said. “I’m proud to endorse Jon Maples for FL House 87.”
— LOCAL: S. FL —
“White House task force was at Hard Rock Stadium to prep for World Cup security” via Michelle Kaufman of the Miami Herald — Among those in the Hard Rock Stadium crowd Monday night for the College Football Playoff national championship was Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House Task Force on the 2026 World Cup. Giuliani, son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, was there as part of the preparation for the monthlong soccer tournament, which is being co-hosted this Summer by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Hard Rock Stadium will host seven matches, including the most in-demand group-stage game between Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and Colombia on June 27. “We’re going to be taking notes here,” Giuliani said.
“Miami Beach Committee leadership reshuffle excludes women from every top post” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner unveiled his new Committee appointments for 2026, and there’s a commonality among them: no women Chairs. In all three of the city’s Commission Committees, which are appointed solely by the Mayor and composed exclusively of City Commission members, men hold the top post. That’s despite three of the Commission’s six non-Mayor members being women. On the Land Use and Sustainability Committee, Meiner elevated previous Vice Chair David Suarez to Chair and demoted prior Chair Alex Fernandez to Vice Chair.
“Miami Beach’s Vendôme apologizes after influencers seen partying to ‘Heil Hitler’” via Sofia Saric of the Miami Herald — Miami Beach nightclub Vendôme apologized Sunday for a “deeply offensive and unacceptable” video circulating online, which appears to show a group of popular and controversial influencers partying to Kanye West’s anti-Semitic song, “Heil Hitler.” People took to social media platforms over the weekend, including Instagram, TikTok and X, about “how this requested song came to be played during a bottle parade,” according to Vendôme’s social media post. In a video captured inside a van, influencers Andrew Tate, Tristan Tate, Nick Fuentes, Clavicular, Sneako, Myron Gaines and Justin Waller appear to be blasting West’s song while arriving at a nightclub.
“Miami Beach launches new water taxi across the bay. Will it succeed this time?” via Aaron Leibowitz of the Miami Herald — Miami Beach has tried running water taxis to downtown Miami before. A 2017 pilot program failed due to low ridership. Similar concerns led to the sinking of the “Poseidon Ferry” in 2020 and 2022. When the Poseidon set sail again in 2024, persistent maintenance issues led to its swift demise. But at the launch of a new, free water taxi service, city officials were bullish. “This is a historic day for Miami Beach,” Meiner said on a cool morning at the Maurice Gibb Memorial Park dock in Sunset Harbour with city officials, media and residents in attendance. “I literally have chills seeing that water taxi standing behind me.”
“Money flows in West Palm Beach Mayor’s race” via Jane Musgrave of StetNews — West Palm Beach City Commissioner Christina Lambert has raised $1 million with 14 months to go before the 2027 Mayoral Election, a fundraising pace her campaign calls historic. Her opponent, Palm Beach County Commissioner Gregg Weiss, has raised about $269,000 but said the disparity does not concern him, questioning whether such spending is necessary in a city where roughly 12,000 voters are expected to participate. Both candidates rely on traditional campaign accounts and political action committees, sparking debate over how funds are counted and traced. Lambert maintains she is drawing broad city support, while Weiss argues his campaign will focus on experience and policy rather than money. The race is open because Mayor Keith James is term-limited.
— LOCAL: C. FL —
“Orange Commissioner wants to block potential ICE facility in Orlando” via Ryan Gillespie and Stephen Hudak of the Orlando Sentinel — Citing concerns over “public perception” affecting tourism, Orange County Commissioner Nicole Wilson is seeking a way to prevent a potential immigration processing facility in east Orlando after ICE officials toured a potential site last week. But County Mayor Jerry Demings, a Democratic candidate for Governor, didn’t directly address Wilson’s proposal, instead echoing his previous comments about continuing to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement “as statutorily required.” In a memo and draft language sent to Demings and other Commissioners, Wilson called for a temporary ban on detention facilities operated by entities other than cities or the county. In particular, Wilson raised questions about how the notoriety of an ICE facility would impact Central Florida’s biggest industry.
“Triple murder case in Kissimmee leads to more Uthmeier criticism of Monique Worrell” via Cristóbal Reyes of the Orlando Sentinel — The murders of three tourists in Kissimmee over the weekend have now become fodder for Florida’s Attorney General to again attack Orange-Osceola State Attorney Worrell, claiming her office botched an earlier case against the suspect. Worrell said Uthmeier was trying to “politicize” a tragedy. The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 29-year-old Ahmad Bojeh for the killings of James Puchan, 69, Robert Kraft, 70, and his brother Douglas Kraft, 68. They were shot dead while waiting for assistance in their rental car. “These three wonderful men did not deserve this,” the families of the three men said in a statement issued by the Sheriff’s Office.
— LOCAL: TB —
“Ron DeSantis backs Rays’ Hillsborough College stadium idea, but says team needs to do more to compete” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — DeSantis said he is optimistic that a proposed Tampa Bay Rays stadium at the Hillsborough Community College’s Dale Mabry campus could improve the franchise’s future and deliver broader benefits to the region. DeSantis said the concept could be good for the college, the state and the surrounding area, particularly if paired with nearby hotels, restaurants and redevelopment that could spur renovations to the aging football stadium. His comments come as the Hillsborough College District Board of Trustees prepares to consider a memorandum of understanding that would begin negotiations to cede 110 acres for a mixed-use project in exchange for a new campus. New owners Ken Babby, Patrick Zalupski and Bill Cosgrove have said they want to keep the Rays in the Tampa area, targeting a 2029 opening, though public subsidies may be required. DeSantis warned that if a local deal fails, other markets are ready to pursue the team.
—“Rays’ deal with Hillsborough College gets first nod” via Emma Behrmann of the Tampa Bay Business Journal
“Tampa makes national top 5 ranking for headquarters relocations” via Anastasia Dawson of Florida Business Observer — For the first time, the city of Tampa has made the top five in a national ranking of cities where businesses seek to set up corporate headquarters. Tampa landed in a four-way tie for the fifth most desirable city with Richmond, Kansas City and Houston. This is the first time Tampa has ever made the list. Site Selection cited Tampa’s favorable tax climate, highly skilled workforce, direct foreign investment, and quality of life among the factors that put the city in the top five this year. “This milestone is a reflection of the momentum our community has built together,” Mayor Jane Castor says. “We’re creating an environment where businesses thrive, families succeed, and big ideas feel right at home.”
—”Have Democrats given up on the Pinellas County Commission?” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics
“St. Pete explores public record request improvements” via Mark Parker of the St. Pete Catalyst — A comprehensive report on St. Petersburg’s public records procedures provided insight into an esoteric process and the sheer volume of requests received. It also highlighted the need to incorporate new technology. A resident sued the city in November after his public records request went unfilled for over a year. Council Chair Lisset Hanewicz has encountered similar issues and subsequently requested the Jan. 15 Committee discussion. Hanewicz stressed the importance of government transparency and couldn’t recall any previous public discussion of the 2012 record request policies. “I also have the belief that if you do come across something that can be improved, then you improve it. And that’s my goal here,” she said.
— LOCAL: N. FL —
“Duval County School Board expected to discuss controversial ‘Schools of Hope’ law amid community pushback” via Brianna Andrews of News4Jax — The Duval County School Board is set to discuss Florida’s controversial Schools of Hope law during a meeting Tuesday morning, nearly two weeks after rejecting charter requests tied to the program. Recent expansions to Schools of Hope allow certain charter operators to move into neighborhoods with struggling public schools and require Districts to provide rent-free space, including shared facilities. The Board earlier denied proposals from Miami-based Mater Academy to co-locate charters at Merrill Road Elementary and Fort Caroline School of the Arts, calling the arrangements impracticable. Mater had initially sought space at 25 campuses before scaling back its requests. Schools of Hope was added to the Board’s legislative agenda on Jan. 6 amid divided votes and vocal community opposition. The meeting begins at 9 a.m.
“Watchdog group calls for FBI, FDLE to investigate city cybercrime” via Arianna Otero of the Tallahassee Democrat — A Tallahassee watchdog group is calling for an independent investigation into the reported theft of more than $1 million from City Hall, saying it has lost confidence in the city’s handling of the case. Citizens for Government Accountability announced Tuesday that it has asked the FBI or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to take over the probe, which involves a cybercrime committed by someone posing as a city vendor and first reported in March 2024. Chair David Van Williams said residents no longer trust the city to resolve the matter or be transparent. The group filed a complaint with federal authorities and questioned whether Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell should oversee an investigation involving city leadership. City officials have not yet commented, while police say the investigation remains active.
— LOCAL: SW. FL —
“‘It would be my privilege to serve’: John Harshman announces Sarasota City Commission bid” via Jesse Mendoza of Florida Politics — Business leader Harshman has entered the race for the Sarasota City Commission, running for an at-large seat in the city’s next municipal election. Harshman, a longtime Sarasota commercial real estate executive, said decades of local business experience and civic involvement have prepared him for his bid for office. He faces incumbent Jen Ahearn-Koch, Flo Entler and Rob Rominiecki for two at-large seats. “I fell in love with Sarasota and have built my career and life here,” Harshman said. “It would be my privilege to serve all members of our community on the City Commission.” Harshman, who moved to Sarasota more than five decades ago, founded Harshman & Co., Inc. in 1989. The firm has since grown into one of Southwest Florida’s top commercial real estate companies.
“Former Oakes Farms’ executive fled to California, feared for his life” via Laura Layden of the Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News — A former Oakes Farms’ executive has implicated the local company and its high-profile owner in a COVID-related fraud conspiracy. The accusations appear in federal court filings related to a civil lawsuit filed by Oakes Farms and its affiliates against Steven A. Veneziano Jr. and two of his now-dissolved Florida companies. In his latest court filings dated Jan. 14, Veneziano claims that he quietly moved from Florida to California in November 2024 in fear for his safety after cooperating with the federal government in an investigation of the COVID conspiracy.
— TOP OPINION —
“What happened to Pam Bondi?” via Stephanie McCrummen of The Atlantic — Bondi’s first oversight hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee marked a public turning point for the former Florida Attorney General, who arrived armed with sharp, personal retorts for Democratic Senators and left basic questions unanswered. Once known in Florida legal circles as mild and approachable, Bondi instead delivered a confrontational performance that stunned former allies.
Now U.S. Attorney General, Bondi has overseen a sweeping transformation of the Justice Department during her first year, critics say, subordinating long-standing norms of independence to the political demands of Trump. Hundreds of career prosecutors have been fired or resigned, civil rights and public corruption units have been hollowed out, and the department has aggressively pursued Trump’s political opponents.
Bondi has also provided legal cover for controversial actions, including extrajudicial killings tied to drug enforcement operations and the seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Former Justice Department officials say the changes represent the most dramatic erosion of institutional autonomy in decades.
Her loyalty has still failed to satisfy Trump at times. He has publicly complained that Bondi has moved too slowly on investigations targeting his critics, even as pressure mounts over her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, which remain largely unreleased despite a federal disclosure deadline.
Bondi has released only a fraction of the documents, fueling backlash from both Democrats and Trump supporters. The controversy has placed her under intense scrutiny and legal risk.
Once resistant to political ambition, Bondi is now deeply embedded in Trump’s inner circle. Former friends in Florida say the transformation is complete.
The question facing Washington is no longer who Pam Bondi is, but how far she is willing to go.
— MORE OPINIONS —
“Trump’s attack on democracy is faltering” via Quinta Jurecic of The Atlantic — American democracy endured a bruising year under Trump’s second term, marked by aggressive power grabs, punishment of dissent and authoritarian posturing that led some experts to argue the United States no longer qualifies as a democracy. Yet as the term progressed, Trump’s dominance weakened. Public support faded, protests surged nationwide, courts increasingly blocked administration actions, and opposition politicians grew more assertive. Heavy-handed moves, from immigration enforcement to media pressure campaigns, often backfired, fueling backlash and eroding approval. Trump’s governing style, defined by overreach and poor execution, has limited his ability to consolidate power. While serious threats remain, including election interference and escalation in response to setbacks, the resilience of institutions, civic resistance and political pushback suggest American democracy, though badly strained, still has a pulse.
“Trump’s golden age of culture seems pretty sad so far” via Spenser Kornhaber of The Atlantic — Nicki Minaj’s appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest underscored how politics, pop culture and spectacle have increasingly blurred in the Trump era. The rapper praised Trump and criticized past administrations, offering conservatives a high-profile cultural trophy while highlighting the movement’s reliance on trolling, memes and celebrity crossover to project momentum. The moment reflected a broader strategy by Trump and allies to consolidate cultural power, pressure traditional media, and test entertainers’ influence through provocation and propaganda. Yet the reaction to Minaj, along with fractures among podcasters, comedians and online influencers who once boosted Trump, suggests that culture remains resistant to full political control. Despite efforts at intimidation and mythmaking, dissent, irony and competing audiences continue to shape an unruly, democratic feedback loop.
“Trump exhaustion syndrome” via Ashley Parker of The Atlantic — A year into Trump’s second term, the country has grown disturbingly accustomed to escalating norm-breaking that would once have sparked immediate outrage. The piece argues Trump’s strategy is maximalist: push institutions, rights, and public tolerance past the breaking point, then push again, choosing sympathetic “test cases” that make principled objections sound like defenses of villains. As a result, due process, free speech, press access, and independent government functions are increasingly treated as optional, while opponents struggle to frame the stakes in language that moves ordinary voters. Even when actions appear extreme, public reaction often lands somewhere between fatigue and resignation, reinforcing Trump’s sense that he can act with minimal consequence. Focus-group insights suggest many voters assume the system will “trudge along” and someone will stop him, even as they rationalize overreach as something a President can do simply because he can.
“Unused K-12 scholarship funds are a feature, not a bug” via William Mattox for Florida Politics — School choice critics continue to attack Florida’s scholarship programs, but their latest complaint about unspent funds misses the point, supporters argue. After failed criticisms over allowable purchases and demands for burdensome monthly reporting, opponents now warn that families are not spending all their scholarship dollars. Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith has framed those balances as money withheld from public schools. Advocates counter that unused funds are intentional rollover dollars, allowing parents to save for higher future education costs. That flexibility, they say, promotes price discipline among schools and rewards efficient use of taxpayer funds. Rather than eliminating rollovers, supporters urge lawmakers to expand them, potentially allowing graduates to use saved funds for small business startups, reinforcing choice, competition and long-term value.
“Consumer protections for Hispanics, veterans, seniors, and retirees are smart policy” via Julio Fuentes for Florida Politics — Legislation advancing in Florida would strengthen consumer protections for vulnerable residents after disasters by curbing predatory public adjuster contracts. HB 427 and SB 266 target situations in which seniors, retirees, veterans, and especially Hispanic residents are pressured to sign complex agreements following fires, storms, or plumbing damage, often while dealing with medical emergencies or language barriers. Supporters say many Hispanic seniors face added risk because contracts are not required to be provided in Spanish or other clear formats, leaving them exposed to confusion and high-pressure tactics. The bills would allow affected residents to cancel public adjuster agreements without penalty if they could not fully understand the terms. Backers argue the measures preserve ethical business practices while reinforcing Florida’s tradition of protecting seniors, veterans, and retirees during moments of vulnerability.
“Florida needs nurses who know what they’re doing, not scams and failures” via the Orlando Sentinel editorial board — A poll asked Americans which professions they trusted the most. 75% of those responding said they regarded the honesty and ethics of nurses as “high” or “very high.” Health care consumers want to believe that the nurses caring for them are trained to meet a baseline standard of knowledge and competence. In 2009, the Legislature lowered the standards for nursing education programs and gutted oversight. For-profit schools multiplied. Some offered high-quality education, but many did not. Some schools barely made it to Year 6 before being placed under probation. The dismal passage rate for the new group of for-profit nursing programs — 57%, as of 2024 — dragged Florida’s overall passage rate to the very bottom of a 50-state ranking. Last week, a key House Committee passed legislation that would go a long way toward fixing the biggest problems. They should take advantage of the opportunity to restore trust in nursing.
“Florida shouldn’t gamble with patient safety on false promises” via Rebekah Bernard for Florida Politics — Florida lawmakers are weighing renewed calls to allow Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists to practice independently without physician anesthesiologist supervision, a proposal supporters frame as a way to expand access, cut costs and modernize care. Critics argue the change would fundamentally alter how anesthesia, one of medicine’s highest-risk services, is delivered. They contend evidence shows physician-led, team-based anesthesia care produces the safest outcomes, particularly when complications arise. Opponents also dispute claims of cost savings, noting Medicare reimbursement does not change based on physician involvement and that effective complication management can reduce overall expenses. Studies of states that allow unsupervised practice have not shown improved access in rural areas, critics say. They warn Florida should not base patient safety policy on broad comparisons that blur major regulatory differences among states.
“Nonprofits will shape America’s civic future in 2026” via Sabeen Perwaiz for Florida Politics — Nonprofits are entering 2026 positioned to play a larger role in shaping policy and strengthening civic stability after a turbulent 2025, underscoring their importance, sector leaders say. Despite political tension, economic uncertainty and rising demand for services, nonprofits continued delivering aid while sharpening their engagement with public policy. Organizations increasingly are embracing advocacy as an extension of their mission, focusing on policy literacy and clearer communication with lawmakers. At the same time, mission clarity has emerged as a key driver of public trust, donor confidence and effective collaboration with government. Leaders also point to growing recognition that nonprofit capacity is a policy issue, as calls expand for sustainable funding, streamlined contracting and investment in operations. Together, the trends suggest an opportunity for a more resilient and influential nonprofit sector in the year ahead.
— INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY —
— ALOE —
“New Universal Studios coaster will be Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift” via Dewayne Bevil of the Orlando Sentinel — A Fast & Furious-themed roller coaster is the project that’s going up at Universal Studios Florida theme park. It will replace Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, which closed in August. Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, an outdoor coaster, will open in 2027, Universal Orlando announced. Construction has been underway for months at the site, wedged between the former Blue Man Group building and Universal CityWalk. Universal also announced that its Fast & Furious: Supercharged attraction will close at the theme park in 2027. The big-screen dark ride opened in 2018, taking over the space previously occupied by the Disaster attraction.
“Emily Duda Buckley family business gets philanthropic, gives $200K to cancel student lunch debt” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics — As part of its 100th anniversary, family-owned agriculture and real estate company DUDA donated $200,000 to the nonprofit All for Lunch to eliminate school lunch debt for qualifying students in Seminole County. The gift will clear balances for more than 3,600 students eligible for free meals and another 1,425 receiving reduced-price meals, helping more than 5,000 students focus on learning. The donation was presented on Tuesday at Pine Crest Elementary. Company leaders said eliminating lunch debt removes a quiet but significant barrier for families facing food insecurity. All for Lunch said the contribution provides immediate relief for parents navigating tight budgets, while Seminole County Public Schools leaders called the support a meaningful community partnership. The donation also launched a special fundraising page to encourage additional contributions.
— HAPPY BIRTHDAY —
Best wishes to former Sen. Tom Lee and Jon Costello.
___
Sunburn is authored and assembled by Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Daniel Dean, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, and Drew Wilson.
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