Politics
Last Call for 10.20.26 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
— First Shot —
Save Our Services — No on 3 is putting more than $250,000 behind three digital ads aimed specifically at Black and Hispanic voters as the campaign against Amendment 3 sharpens its argument that the property tax measure would jeopardize local services.
The opposition coalition said the English- and Spanish-language ads began running over the weekend on Meta and YouTube. “Scam” and its Spanish-language counterpart, “Estafa,” argue the amendment would shift costs onto working families and seniors or force cuts to community services.
A third spot, “Endorsements,” tells Black voters that first responders, teachers and the NAACP oppose the amendment.
“If it passes, the services we rely on every day are at risk, including public safety, healthcare, disaster preparedness and recovery, programs for kids and seniors, and so much more,” said Jackson Peel, communications director for Save Our Services. “They’ll either be cut, or working families and seniors will pay more in other taxes and fees. That’s not a savings; it’s a tax shift.”
Amendment 3, lawmakers placed on the ballot earlier this year, would increase the non-school homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. It would also reduce the cap on annual assessment increases for non-homestead property from 10% to 5%.
The sales pitch is hardly complicated: as households contend with rising grocery costs, gas prices, and insurance bills, the thought of at least one bill going down is appealing.
The political welcome wagon, however, is getting awfully lonely.
Gov. Ron DeSantis says he will vote for Amendment 3 but will not campaign for it. Almost every Floridian who carries a badge or a P card stands against it. Former Senate President Kathleen Passidomo said she’s a no this month, too.
And today, current Senate President Ben Albritton joined her.
The turn is especially sharp because Albritton promoted the plan in May as $250,000 in tax relief for every Florida homeowner, safeguarding local funding for public safety.
Albritton now says the amendment could eliminate up to 30% of the resources available to rural counties, “gutting essential support for law enforcement, emergency response services and critical infrastructure.”
“Tax relief shouldn’t fall hardest on the communities least able to absorb it,” the Wauchula Republican and fourth-generation citrus grower said in a statement posted by the Florida Sheriffs Association.
Albritton said the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, which convenes next year, offers a better venue to develop property tax reform that is “meaningful, reasonable and balanced.”
— Evening Reads —
—“As France erupts, Europe’s far right gains from fuel-price anger ahead of elections” via Michel Rose, Angelo Amante and Miranda Murray of Reuters
—“How Donald Trump’s FBI purge saved Lindsey Graham and James Clyburn from a bribery investigation” via Molly Redden, Avi Asher-Schapiro, William Turton and Kirsten Berg of ProPublica
—“U.S. officials privately advise states fearing Trump election meddling” via Noah Robertson of The Washington Post
—“The one chart that reveals how Republican candidates really feel about Trump” via Chris Cillizza of So What
—“They fled Trump’s America. Now they regret it” via Sarah Manavis of WIRED
—“Arizona woman’s 3-year wait for an intestine shows the U.S. organ transplant system’s complexity” via Lauran Neergaard of The Associated Press
—“‘Reverse-engineer anything’ is the new Wild West of AI” via Jason Koebler of 404 Media
—“In a redrawn Congressional District, Kathy Castor faces her toughest battle” via Mitch Perry of Florida Phoenix
—“Ralph Cutié told Commissioners the MIA hotel deal was over. Ten days later, a memo says otherwise” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics
—“Orange County Commission plows through TDT vote despite opposition from public” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics
—“Family says Hillsborough deputies injured man prior to his ICE detention” via Nancy Guan of WUSF
—“Two-thirds of microdramas released in latest quarter outside China were AI generated, says report” via Katie Kilkenny of The Hollywood Reporter
— Quote of the Day —
“As I always have, I stand proudly with the Florida Sheriffs, first responders and my neighbors across rural Florida. I will vote against Amendment 3.”
— Senate President Ben Albritton, announcing his opposition to the property tax amendment.
— 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 on your tab. Recipes included, just in case the Cocktail Codex fell into the well.
Pour David Jolly an El Presidente as Bill Clinton hits the campaign trail, and Fox shifts the Governor’s race from “likely” to “lean” Republican, giving Democrats something stronger than wishful thinking to toast.
Somebody forgot to order Ralph Cutié a Double Tap, because the MIA hotel deal he said was dead is waving hi from the grave.
Buy Evan Ross an Income Tax for finding a way to weaponize QuickBooks against us without even forcing us to buy an Intuit subscription.
— Breakthrough Insights —
— Tune In —
Lightning open road trip in Vegas
The Tampa Bay Lightning try to build on a strong start as they visit the Vegas Golden Knights tonight (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Tampa Bay has won six of its first eight games and sits two games behind the Boston Bruins in the Atlantic Division standings. The Lightning have won all five home games but only one of three away from Tampa.
Brandon Hagel and Nikita Kucherov have powered the hot start, with Hagel leading the team with six goals and 11 points, while Kucherov leads with seven assists.
The Lightning are coming off home wins over Seattle and Vancouver; Tampa Bay scored four goals in both. They have outscored 23-12 in six victories this season.
Vegas has also started hot, winning eight of its first 10 games. Center Jack Eichel has been the trailblazer for the Golden Knights, totaling 13 assists and 18 points in 10 games. His 18 points are second-best in the NHL this season, behind only Edmonton star Connor McDavid. Vegas right winger Mark Stone has also been a force with seven goals and seven assists this season.
After tonight’s game, the Lightning continue the road trip to Colorado and Utah.
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Peter Schorsch publishes Last Call, assembled and edited by Phil Ammann and Drew Wilson, with contributions from the staff of Florida Politics.
The post Last Call for 10.20.26 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics appeared first on Florida Politics – Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government..