Last Call for 10.16.25 – 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

Republican gubernatorial candidate Paul Renner is turning to his fellow service members to help power his campaign with a Statewide Veterans Coalition aimed at boosting engagement among service members.

The coalition, unveiled Wednesday, will mobilize veterans in every Florida county to assist with outreach and develop proposals to strengthen benefits, workforce opportunities, and support networks for veterans.

“During my tenure as Speaker of the House, we made the Free State of Florida the most veteran-friendly state in the nation,” Renner said. “As a Navy veteran who served in two combat theaters, I understand firsthand the sacrifice that our warriors and their families make to keep us safe and free. We must make sure they have access to the health care, education, and business opportunities they need to be successful during and after service.”

Rep. Patt Maney, a retired Army Brigadier General, will Chair the “Veterans for Renner” coalition. A combat-wounded veteran, Purple Heart recipient, and 2018 inductee to the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame, Maney praised Renner’s record and readiness to lead.

“Paul Renner is the trusted leader our state needs as our next Governor. As a fellow veteran, he understands how we can best support service members and their families during and after their time in uniform,” Maney said.

The Okaloosa County Republican cited pro-veteran policies passed during Renner’s House tenure, touching on mental health services, job training, mentorship, occupational licensing reform and more.

He added, “As Governor, Paul will commit our state to the unwavering support of our military and its veterans.”

Other members of the coalition’s steering committee include more than a dozen retired military leaders from across Florida, ranging from a Marine Corporal to a quartet of Navy Captains.

“I am honored by the support of these American heroes,” Renner said. “We share the values common to all veterans: a deep love of country, the willingness to put service above self, and the commitment to never quit until the mission is complete.”

Evening Reads

—“Donald Trump’s unilateral spending cuts complicate shutdown deal” via Catie Edmondson and Carl Hulse of The New York Times

—”The 34 most bizarre lines from Trump’s FBI news conference” via Chris Cillizza of So What

—”Why this shutdown is different — and shows signs of lasting” via Naftali Bendavid of The Washington Post

—“The impossible politics that mean the shutdown is set to drag on” via Siobhan Hughes and Lindsay Wise of The Wall Street Journal

—”The unhinged attacks on No Kings” via Judd Legum of Popular Information

—“House files sweeping property tax cuts package for voters, not lawmakers, to approve or reject” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics

—”Eyes are on South Florida for redistricting after SCOTUS voting rights hearing” via Claire Heddles of the Miami Herald

—”Report says prison gerrymandering gives unfair voting power to four Florida House districts” via Mitch Perry of the Florida Phoenix

—”Broward County’s public safety is not just a line item” via Gregory Tony for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

—“Spit on, sworn at, and undeterred: what it’s like to own a Cybertruck” via Zoë Schiffer of WIRED

Quote of the Day

“If we have faith in the voters to elect us, we should not be afraid to let them be a part of the conversation about the taxes they pay.”

— House Speaker Daniel Perez, introducing the House’s sweeping property tax cuts package.

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.

House Speaker Daniel Perez gets a Homestead for trusting voters to weigh in on the fate of property taxes in the state.

Renner is making moves, but U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds is enjoying a Blue Riband after the latest St. Pete Polls survey put him ahead 39%-3%.

Not that Florida’s 3rd Congressional District was in play, but U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack gets a Golden Ticket for landing the President’s endorsement.

Breakthrough Insights

Tune In

USF eyeing historic season, hosts FAU

With a pair of wins over ranked teams on the resume, USF tries to keep one of the best seasons in program history going as they host in-state rivals Florida Atlantic on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU).

The Bulls (5-1, 2-0 AAC) opened the season with wins over then-No. 25 Boise State and then-No. 13 Florida before taking the first loss of the season at Miami. Since the loss, USF has beaten South Carolina State, Charlotte, and North Texas by an average of 60-25.

USF has enjoyed winning records the past two seasons, but has not won 10 games in a season since 2016 and 2017, when they won 11 and 10 games, respectively.

USF has been led by quarterback Byrum Brown, who leads the team in passing and rushing. He has accounted for 18 touchdowns this season. In his last game, he threw three touchdowns and ran for two more in a 63-36 victory at North Texas.

The USF defense has also done its part, leading the nation with 16 forced turnovers.

FAU (3-3, 2-1 AAC) is coming off consecutive wins over Rice and UAB, both American Athletic Conference opponents. USF is the only ranked team remaining on the Owls’ schedule.

USF leads the all-time series 4-2, with the teams splitting the previous four games in Tampa. Last season, the Bulls beat the Owls 44-21 in Boca Raton. 

___

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