Politics
Last Call for 1.21.26 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Black Democratic members of the Florida Legislature are set to push back against Attorney General James Uthmeier’s recent opinion declaring Florida’s affirmative action laws unconstitutional.
Lawmakers are scheduled to hold a noon news conference on the Fourth Floor Rotunda, where they are expected to challenge both the substance and the real-world implications of the Attorney General’s position.
According to a media advisory, Florida Legislative Black Caucus Chair Sen. Darryl Rouson, alongside two dozen Black Democratic members of the House and Senate, will discuss how the opinion could impact civil rights and equal protection, health care equity, education and workforce pipelines, small business development, public boards and governance, as well as how the opinion may be applied in practice across state government.
The news conference comes after Uthmeier issued a nonbinding but sweeping opinion asserting that Florida statutes requiring race-based considerations in hiring, contracting and other government functions violate the U.S. and Florida Constitutions. The opinion drew immediate attention, particularly given its release on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
In the 14-page opinion, the Attorney General specifically cited an “egregious” Florida statute that mandates statewide participation in “programs of affirmative and positive action” and stipulates that every executive agency “develop and implement an affirmative action plan” that includes goals for race-based hires.
Evening Reads
—”Donald Trump hails ‘framework’ of Greenland deal, reversing tariff threats” via Emily Davies, Cat Zakrzewski and Michael Birnbaum of The Washington Post
—”MAGA’s ‘Manifest Destiny’ coalition has arrived” via Makena Kelly of WIRED
—”How ‘if you give a mouse a cookie’ explains Donald Trump’s 2nd term” via Chris Cillizza of So What
—“In 2026, ICE detainees are dying at an alarming rate” via Judd Legum, Rebecca Crosby, and Noel Sims of Popular Information
—”The Supreme Court is likely to hand Trump a rare loss on the Federal Reserve” via Ian Millhiser of Vox
—“’I think about Jurassic Park’: Ron DeSantis-backed AI bill of rights clears first Committee hurdle” via Liv Caputo of the Florida Phoenix
—”Florida State Guard director practiced flying on state planes, members say” via Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times
—“As pennies fade away, Senate panel advances Don Gaetz proposal setting cash-rounding rules” via Jesse Mendoza of Florida Politics
—“Al Lawson verging on decision to run for Tallahassee Mayor” via James Call of the Tallahassee Democrat
Quote of the Day
“Every time I think about this, I think about Jurassic Park. There was a message there. … There was a warning about technologies exactly like this. Just because you can do something doesn’t necessarily mean you should.”
— AFL-CIO Director of Politics and Public Policy Rich Templin, on the “AI bill of rights.”
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.
Slide a Copper Illusion (it’s tastier than a Petit Zinc) to Sen. Don Gaetz for his bill prepping Florida for a penny-free world.
Rep. Yvette Benarroch is due for a Tandem Bike now that her e-bike and scooter regulation bill has joined its Senate companion in clearing its first committee stop.
Order a Final Approach for Rep. Adam Botana, whose proposal to turn the Naples Airport Authority into a Board elected by voters soared through the Government Operations Committee.
Breakthrough Insights
Tune In
UCF women play at No. 14 Baylor
The UCF Knights women’s basketball team travels to Waco, Texas, for a matchup with No. 14 Baylor tonight (8 p.m. ET, ESPN+).
The Knights (10-8, 2-5 in Big 12) are coming off a 74-68 victory over Colorado in the annual Space Game. The Knights rebrand as the Citronauts for the game and wear Space U uniforms. The game honors UCF’s founding mission from 1963 to provide personnel for the U.S. Space program.
Against Colorado, UCF saw sophomore guard Summer Yancy score a career-high 25 points, including making five three pointers in the victory. Yancy is one of 12 players in the conference to score 25 points with at least six rebounds and four assists in a game.
Baylor (17-3) is tied with Texas Tech and TCU atop the Big 12 standings. The Bears’ success has been based on a strong defense. Baylor ranks No. 1 in the nation in 3-point defense, holding opponents to 22% from beyond the arc. They have been even stingier in conference play, limiting Big 12 opponents to under 20% from long range.
The Bears come into the game on a six-game winning streak. Baylor is led by Taliah Scott, who averages 20.5 points per game. The Orange Park, Fla. native began her career at Arkansas before transferring to Auburn and now to Baylor. She has averaged at least 20 points in all three of her college seasons.
Tonight’s matchup is the first of two between the programs this season. The Bears return to Central Florida on Feb. 15.
After tonight’s game, the Knights continue the homestand against another ranked team from Texas when they host No. 9 TCU on Saturday.
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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.