Politics

Last Call for 1.21.25 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida

Published

1 week ago

January 21, 2025

May Greene

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

First Shot

One day into his term, Donald Trump issued a series of executive orders, some of which test the boundaries of presidential power.

Undoubtedly, the most controversial item in the initial volley is an executive order that would end birthright citizenship — the constitutional guarantee that those born on U.S. soil are granted U.S. citizenship regardless of whether their parents are citizens.

Nearly two dozen states have already moved to challenge the order in court. Florida is not one of them, and it’s unlikely that it or any other GOP-run state will be in the future.

Trump also reversed one of former President Joe Biden’s final acts, placing Cuba back on the state sponsor of terrorism list. Biden’s order was unpopular on both sides of the aisle in Florida.

Barring something unprecedented, U.S.-Cuba relations will not soften after the next four years. Florida’s now-former U.S. Senator, Marco Rubio, was officially sworn in as Secretary of State this morning. During his confirmation hearing last week, he vowed to reverse Biden’s order and said that he had “zero doubt” Cuba meets “all the qualifications for being a state sponsor of terrorism.”

Trump followed through with rebranding the TAFKA as “Gulf of Mexico.” The Sunshine State was among the first to embrace the change in an official capacity, with Gov. Ron DeSantis using “Gulf of America” in the first line of a Monday executive order declaring a state of emergency related to the severe (for Florida, at least) winter weather.

Evening Reads

—“Inside Donald Trump’s Oval Office — Version 2.0” via Annie Linskey of The Wall Street Journal

—“Twenty-two states sue to stop Trump’s birthright citizenship order” via Mattathias Schwartz and Mike Baker of The New York Times

—”The single most unconstitutional thing Trump did yesterday, explained” via Ian Millhiser of Vox

—“Justin Trudeau says Canada will respond to U.S. tariffs as Ontario’s premier says Trump ‘declared war” via Rob Gillies of The Associated Press

—“Trump administration ousts Coast Guard’s top officer” via Dan Lamothe of The Washington Post

—”Prosecutors ask to drop Yulee man’s Capitol riot case after Trump pardon; how about others?” via Steve Patterson of The Florida Times-Union

—“The 36 must-see lines from Trump’s inauguration speech” via Chris Cillizza of So What?

—“Gov. Ron DeSantis: ‘Believe it or not, in the state of Florida, we’re mobilizing snowplows’” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics

—“Northeast Florida colleges, schools announce shutdowns ahead of wild Winter storm” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics

—”Again? Carolina Amesty is the second Florida lawmaker accused of COVID fraud” via Scott Maxwell of the Orlando Sentinel

Quote of the Day

“We used to think Blizzard Beach was a theme park in Orlando.”

— Gov. Ron DeSantis, on the frigid weather sweeping across North Florida.

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.

Order a round of Fresh Picked Freedoms for the many Floridians convicted of crimes related to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot who received presidential pardons on Trump’s first day back.

Gov. Ron DeSantis could use a Snowplow. Once that’s taken care of, he could also use, like an actual snowplow.

Weather got your teeth chattering? The upside is it’s finally appropriate for Floridians to enjoy a hot cocktail — here are some of the best.

Breakthrough Insights

Tune In

Lightning looking for consistency in Montreal

The Tampa Bay Lightning tries to narrow the gap in the Atlantic Division as they travel to Montreal to face the Canadiens (7 p.m. ET, FanDuel Sports Network Sun).

The Lightning (25-17-3) trail their Sunshine State rivals, the Florida Panthers, by four points for second place in the division. Tampa Bay has not been able to string together more than back-to-back wins since a four-game winning streak in mid-December.

Right-winger Nikita Kucherov continues to lead the Lightning attack with 21 goals and a team-high 48 assists. Kucherov’s 69 points are tied for second in the NHL this season.

Montreal (23-19-4) struggled to start the season but has found a rhythm. After opening the campaign with four wins in the first 15 games, the Canadiens have won 18 of the last 30 games. Among the recent wins was a 5-2 decision over the Lightning in Tampa Bay on Dec. 29.

The two teams will meet again in the regular season after tonight when the Lightning return to Montreal on Feb. 9.

Just over halfway through the regular season, Tampa Bay is in a position to return to the playoffs, while the Canadiens would be on the outside looking in if the playoffs started today.

___

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

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Politics

Scott Franklin to head House Environment Subcommittee

Published

3 hours ago

January 31, 2025

May Greene

Another Florida lawmaker will have a gavel for one of the U.S. House science subcommittees

U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin, a Lakeland Republican, will chair the House Environment Subcommittee.

House Science, Space and Technology Committee Chair Brian Babin, a Texas Republican, picked the Florida lawmaker for his expertise in the fields and the role the subcommittee would play on policy affecting the Sunshine State.

“I’m excited about our SST Committee assignments for this Congress,” Babin said. “The valuable expertise and diverse backgrounds that each member brings will be instrumental in strengthening U.S. leadership and competitiveness in science, space, and technology. We have a full agenda ahead that will prioritize advancing critical scientific research, fostering technological innovation, leading the world in space exploration, addressing regulatory burdens across industries, and more. Through our shared efforts, I am confident we can achieve our objectives and drive meaningful progress in our scientific endeavors. Let’s get to work!”

Franklin said he was enthusiastic about the assignment.

“I’m eager to tackle environmental research related to weather forecasting and ensuring disaster readiness,” Franklin said. “I thank Chairman Babin for this opportunity and look forward to advancing America First policy priorities to remain at the forefront of innovation and boost job growth.”

Babin praised Franklin’s conservative record on business issues.

“I’m confident Congressman Franklin will provide strong leadership for our Environment Subcommittee this Congress,” Babin said. “He has been a steadfast advocate against burdensome government regulations that stifle innovation and fail to address states’ needs. His perspective will be critical as we consider key weather legislation in the months ahead. I look forward to working with him to advance commonsense environmental policies and legislation.”

The same day, Babin assigned Rep. Mike Haridopolos, an Indian Harbor Beach Republican, to head the House Space and Aeronautics Subcommitee.

“Since the earliest days of our space program, Florida’s Space Coast has been the launchpad for America’s journey to the stars,” Haridopolos said. “From the Apollo missions that first carried Americans to the Moon to today’s groundbreaking private sector launches, our skies have always been at the forefront of space exploration. Space is central to our district’s identity and economy, providing countless high-paying jobs and opportunities.”

He praised Haridopolos’ knowledge of the Space Program.

“Over the past several years, the SST Committee has diligently worked to support and advance our nation’s space endeavors,” Babin said. “As the representative of Florida’s Space Coast, the Congressman brings valuable expertise and leadership that will undoubtedly enhance our efforts to keep America at the forefront of exploration and development. I am excited to work alongside him to propel our space agenda forward.”

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Politics

Disney plans to convert Star Wars hotel into Imagineers’ offices

Published

4 hours ago

January 31, 2025

May Greene

It’s going to be an office far, far, away.

Disney World is converting the shuttered Star Wars hotel into office space for the famous Imagineers who will be designing new lands and projects at the theme parks.

The hotel’s update was reported by The Wrap and confirmed by other media outlets.

Disney closed the hotel September 2023 less than two years after it opened. The company had said it took a $300 million tax write off for shutting down the hotel after it reportedly had low occupancy.

At the hotel near Hollywood Studios, guests who were willing to pay nearly $5,000 for a two-night stay could pretend to be in their own Star Wars story at the hotel. Lightsabers included.

“Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is one of our most creative projects ever and has been praised by our guests and recognized for setting a new bar for innovation and immersive entertainment. This premium, boutique experience gave us the opportunity to try new things on a smaller scale of 100 rooms,” Disney said in a statement when it announced it was closing.

Why did it fail?

YouTuber Jenny Nicholson explained the list of reasons in a four-hour video called “The Spectacular Failure of the Star Wars Hotel” which captured 11 million views. The cost, the marketing, and not fully embracing the cosplay concept all likely hurt the hotel, she said.

The Wrap reported Disney had been considering using the empty hotel for a dinner theater-type experience but Disney ultimately settled on keeping the space closed to the public.

The Imagineers’ new office space comes as Disney World is starting a major expansion across several of its Orlando theme parks. Disney plans to build a Villains land and add “Cars” attractions at the Magic Kingdom as well as “Encanto” and Indiana Jones to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and “A Monsters, Inc.” land at Hollywood Studios. Disney is closing several longtime attractions in the process.

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Politics

Holland & Knight launches National Security & Defense Industry Group

Published

5 hours ago

January 31, 2025

May Greene

D.C.-based partner Jason Klitenic will lead the 100-person team.

Holland & Knight is launching a National Security & Defense Industry Group led by D.C.-based partner Jason Klitenic.

The multinational law firm headquartered in Tampa said it’s taking on the new endeavor due to clients’ increasing demands amidst a complex national security landscape and rising global defense investments.

H&K expects the new practice will benefit from its already-established expertise in the defense, aerospace, cybersecurity and technology sectors. The 100-person team of practitioners led by Klitenic will cater to security and defense clients based the U.S., Europe and Latin America.

“To confront emerging global threats, our clients are continuing to create and fund the development of innovative defense solutions that support the U.S. and its allies around the world,” Klitenic said. “… Our team’s deep government connections in the U.S. and abroad, coupled with our firm’s established reputation for collaborating with government policymakers and operators on meaningful issues, enables us to advise clients on the full spectrum of legal, political and operational issues in this space.”

Klitenic’s background includes serving as General Counsel to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The Industry Group will also include former U.S. Intelligence Community members, high-ranking law enforcement officials and military veterans — Holland & Knight said the team’s diverse expertise will allow it to effectively navigate the intricacies of the national security landscape.

“In the many years that we have represented companies in the national defense and security sectors, we have built a substantial bench of premier practitioners across our geographic platform,” said Holland & Knight Chair and CEO Bob Grammig.

“We are excited to bring all of our global resources — comprising a unique mix of first-rate legal capabilities, a robust public policy and federal lobbying practice, and trusted relationships with U.S. government officials and foreign partners — under the umbrella of this new group. Together, this multidisciplinary team will continue to help our clients advance their strategic objectives.”

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