A federal watchdog says the Energy Foundation China (EF China) and U.S. Energy Foundation (US EF) violated Florida fundraising regulations.

Americans for Public Trust (APT), a group focused on foreign dark money fundraising, sent a letter to Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson alleging the nonprofit groups broke Florida’s Solicitation of Contributions Act. That requires any nonprofits soliciting donations in Florida to register with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs — and now bars registered entities from taking money from any “foreign source of concern.”

“EF China, an organization ‘that works with the Chinese government on climate change issues,’ is one of the most prolific processers of foreign dark money,” wrote Caitlin Sutherland, Executive Director of APT, in a six-page letter to Simpson.

The organization says EF China directs money in different nations through other nonprofits.

“While this foreign funding — which is mostly pushing extremist environmental policies — has been exposed, countless more millions could very-well be flowing into EF China from the United States’ adversaries, as EF China has selectively disclosed only certain ‘key funders.’ As such, the systemic interconnectedness between EF China and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) accentuates the urgent need for extensive inquiry,” the letter reads.

The message ties several EF China officials, including organization President Ji Zou and Executive Director of International Cooperation Huiyong Zhang, to the Chinese Communist Party.

EF China has registered in Florida as a charitable foundation since 2018. US EF, a San Francisco-based organization with the same U.S. address as EF’s China’s American office, has registered in Florida since 2022.

But APT said changes signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2024 mean any connection to a “foreign country of concern” puts both groups in conflict with Florida law. State statute lists China specifically as a nation registered nonprofits cannot be funded by and still solicit charitable contributions in Florida.

“There is substantial evidence suggesting that both EF China and U.S. EF may have accepted funding or other things of value directly or indirectly from Chinese sources or facilitators,” the letter reads.

Besides EF China listing in its mission statement a desire of “contributing to China’s accomplishment of an early carbon peak and carbon neutrality,” the nonprofit has an office in Beijing and acts there under oversight of the National Development and Reform Commission of China, a Department of the nation’s State Council.

While the Beijing office is listed as a foreign branch on registration paperwork, APT says more employees for EF China work in China than in the U.S. Moreover, a number of employees for the nonprofit previously held positions with the Chinese government or communist party there.

US EF, meanwhile, has always operated as a U.S. spinoff of EF China, receiving reimbursements for expenses. That means that group, too, should not be able to solicit funds in Florida, by APT’s read.

Sutherland urges Simpson’s Department to investigate whether and to what extent both nonprofits have operated in violation of state law.

“We further request that, if so determined, the Department pursue appropriate civil and criminal penalties for any violations of the Act that it uncovers in the course of its investigation of EF China and US EF,” the letter concludes.

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

First Shot

A memorial to legendary reporter Bill Cotterell will now grace the Senate Press Gallery, following a dedication Monday by Senate President Ben Albritton.

Albritton presented the plaque on the Senate floor in front of the Capitol press corps, delivering brief remarks before opening the floor to Cotterell’s wife, Cynthia Fuller, who spoke briefly of her husband’s work and legacy.

Carrie Venclauskas, the mother of Cotterell’s daughter-in-law, was also in attendance and livestreamed the dedication to Cotterell’s son, Chris, who is stationed at a Naval base.

Cotterell, who died Nov. 24 at 82, carved out a lasting reputation in Florida political journalism through five decades of relentless reporting, sharp-eyed commentary and an unwavering commitment to the First Amendment. A Miami native and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Cotterell began his career as a copy clerk at the Miami Herald before joining United Press International in 1967, arriving in Tallahassee two years later. 

He returned in 1984 and soon became one of the Capitol press corps’ most recognizable fixtures, spending 27 years at the Tallahassee Democrat and, later, writing a weekly statewide column for the News Service of Florida until his death.

Cotterell’s work earned him admiration across the political spectrum. Inducted into the Florida Newspaper Hall of Fame in 2017, he was long considered essential reading on state agencies, public employees and the political forces shaping Florida. His columns challenged Democrats and Republicans alike, often delivering uncomfortable truths with wry turns of phrase. Even while battling illness, Cotterell kept filing copy from a rehab center, a testament to a lifelong, old-school devotion to journalism that colleagues and readers admired.

Cotterell’s family held a private memorial service Dec. 4 in Tallahassee. According to the Tallahassee Democrat, a public remembrance is being planned for next year.

Evening Reads

—“The 42 most ridiculous lines from Donald Trump’s Kennedy Center Honors dinner speech” via Chris Cillizza of So What

—”The GOP can’t agree on a health care plan. Some Republicans are panicking.” via Natalie Andrews, Siobhan Hughes and Lindsay Wise of The Wall Street Journal

—”Democrats, who once lambasted Trump on immigration, have grown quiet” via Yasmeen Abutaleb of The Washington Post

—”Inside a gathering of top Democrats filled with hope, nerves and ’28 buzz” via Lisa Lerer, Katie Glueck and Tyler Pager of The New York Times

—“States are raking in billions from slot machines on your phone” via Ben Blatt of The New York Times

—“The casino-fication of news” via Judd Legum of Popular Information

—”James Fishback is registered to vote in two states. Does that make him ineligible for Governor?” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics

—”Ben Albritton on the future of property tax proposals in the Senate: ‘We’re still measuring’” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics

—“House expands paid parental leave for employees, Daniel Perez says” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics

—”61 acres, many goals: Inside a landowner’s yearslong plan in the Ag Reserve” via Abigail Hasebroock of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Quote of the Day

“Don’t take down a fence until you know why it was put up.”

— Senate President Ben Albritton, advocating for a cautious approach to slashing property taxes. 

Put it on the Tab

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

While the House moves forward on a slate of property tax proposals, Senate President Ben Albritton is ordering a round of Easy Does Its for his chamber.

New parents working as House staffers will be enjoying an Out of Office thanks to Speaker Daniel Perez’s directive expanding paid parental leave for employees. 

Longshot Governor candidate James Fishback served himself a Double Trouble for being registered to vote in Florida and D.C. simultaneously.

Breakthrough Insights

Tune In

Seminoles face Stanford for women’s soccer crown

Two giants of women’s college soccer meet tonight for the NCAA Championship as Florida State faces Stanford in Kansas City (7 p.m. ET, ESPNU).

Florida State, winners of four national championships in the past 10 seasons, goes for a fifth against fellow ACC powers, Stanford, a program in search of a fourth championship.

The two teams met in October with the Cardinal taking a 2-1 decision in Tallahassee. It’s the second time the Seminoles have faced Stanford for the national championship. FSU won in 2023.

Stanford has been the dominant team in the NCAA tournament, allowing no goals. During the season, the Cardinals were the most potent attacking team in the nation. In 24 games, Stanford scored 96 goals, 25 more than the next most efficient team in the nation. Stanford was also the only team in the country with two of the top 10 goal scorers (Jasmine Aikey, 21 goals, and Andrea Kitahata, 17 goals).

FSU is a strong attacking team as well, ranking sixth in the nation with 56 goals in 21 games.

Stanford topped Duke 1-0 behind Aikey’s goal on a free kick in the 10th minute to advance to the finals, while FSU survived TCU 1-0 on a Wrianna Hudson goal in the 72nd minute.

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

Jacksonville Democratic Rep. Kim Daniels wants answers about why the Duval County School Board is exploring closing more schools.

In a letter to Board Chair Charlotte Joyce, Daniels questions proposed closures of Long Branch Elementary School and Anchor Academy in Mayport.

The closures are not imminent, with Long Branch Elementary set to consolidate into R.L. Brown Academy in 2027–28 and Anchor Elementary to consolidate into Mayport Elementary in 2028–29 Board members are using that time to seek “additional community input,” which Daniels provides.

“Under the district’s consolidation plan, students from Long Branch would be assigned to R.L. Brown Elementary School, a route that requires crossing a major roadway. This presents significant concerns regarding student safety and transportation access, particularly for younger children,” the legislator wrote.

“Families deserve to know how this plan was evaluated and whether the district fully considered the safety implications of requiring children to travel across such a roadway to attend school.

Daniels also objects to the Long Branch closure, saying “a school serving military connected families warrants a clear and thorough explanation given the broader impact such a decision would have on those who serve our country.”

She also questions the District’s reserves and spending in light of claims of a $140 million deficit, saying they are “materially higher than what would typically indicate a budget crisis,” and took issue with $13 million in raises for teachers and administrators.

“These actions have left many families questioning the district’s true financial condition and the justification for decisions that directly impact their communities,” Daniels wrote.

“How could the district approve more than $13 million in salary increases during the same months it claimed that school closures were financially necessary due to budget strain?”

Daniels is seeking summaries for Fiscal Years 2024-25 and 2025-26, studies supporting school consolidation, details on the $140 million shortfall the district trumpeted, and “additional consolidations, closures, or property disposition plans that have been discussed, evaluated, or projected by the district beyond those currently identified.”