Last Call for 2.23.26 – 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

The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee on Monday advanced Shevaun Harris’ nomination to continue leading the Agency for Health Care Administration, clearing her second Committee this cycle after a Health Policy stop earlier this month.

But the vote came with familiar heat.

Democratic Sen. Tina Polsky revisited the DeSantis administration’s use of settlement and trust fund dollars for advertising that ran ahead of the 2024 election, including anti-cannabis spots that coincided with the recreational marijuana ballot amendment.

Polsky also pressed Harris on the broader controversy surrounding a Centene settlement and payments tied to the Hope Florida Foundation, arguing the spending amounted to political activity and asking whether any effort would be made to claw back the money.

Harris defended the ads as part of a prevention campaign and said the department believed it had a responsibility to address what it viewed as misinformation. She also maintained that the timing was incidental to the ballot fight.

“The timing was opportune, but we would have done it,” she said.

During debate, Polsky signaled she would be the lone “no” vote, saying lawmakers cannot simply move past the episode.

“We just can’t let this ride. … I think the way the money was paid back to the federal government just stinks, and something smells rotten in the state with respect to this,” Polsky said.

Other Senators, including Committee Chair Don Gaetz, defended Harris’ responsiveness and experience managing Medicaid, with multiple members saying they were weighing her performance in office rather than unresolved disputes over the settlement spending.

The Committee ultimately recommended confirmation on a 7-1 vote, with Polsky opposing.

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Sen. Charlie Dean, a fixture in Citrus County public life whose career spanned decades in law enforcement and the Legislature, died Monday morning at 86.

Born in Jacksonville and raised in Inverness, Dean followed his father into public service, winning election as Citrus County Sheriff in 1980. He served four terms before mounting an unsuccessful state Senate bid in 1996. Undeterred, he returned to the ballot and won a House seat in 2002. After then-Sen. Nancy Argenziano joined the Public Service Commission, and Dean captured the Senate seat in a Special Election, remaining there until 2016.

Even in retirement, Dean’s imprint on the community endured. A rancher known for his trademark cowboy hat, he cut an unmistakable figure in Tallahassee and back home.

Senate President Ben Albritton remembered Dean as a “vibrant and captivating person” and that “many stories and sayings honed over a career in law enforcement and as a cattleman are remembered fondly by those who knew him.”

Commissioner Wilton Simpson described him as a father figure.

“He was a man of character, someone you could count on, someone you could do business with, but above all a man you would want in your foxhole for any battle,” Simpson said.

“He had so many incredible stories from his youth — his service to our country as a Marine, his service to Citrus County as our Sheriff, and his service to our state as Senator. In the political world, there is no shortage of people who are good at lip service. Charlie Dean stood out as one who excelled in public service.”

Read more on Florida Politics.

Evening Reads

—”Which Donald Trump shows up tomorrow night?” via Chris Cillizza of So What

—”Days after $5M donation, Trump administration backs Crypto.com in lawsuit” via Judd Legum of Popular Information

—“How the frozen housing market is battering U.S. manufacturers” via John Keilman, Daisy Korpics and Elizaveta Galkina of The Wall Street Journal

—”Say goodbye to the undersea cable that made the global internet possible” via Jane Ruffino of WIRED

—“Democrats are divorcing Bill Clinton” via Matt Bai of Rolling Stone

—”James Uthmeier’s office goes after Republican lawmaker who investigated Hope Florida” via Alexandra Glorioso and Lawrence Mower of the Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times

—”Pam Bondi, Uthmeier’s $100,000 UF gig, housing costs — What does Byron Donalds think?” via Michael Van Sickler of the Tampa Bay Times

—”Proposed budgets defund Florida Forever, but do provide for conservation easements” via Mitch Perry of the Florida Phoenix

—“Tampa latest to embrace new technology to enforce school zone speed limits and curb dangerous speeding” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics

—“Cancellations pile up at Orlando, other Florida airports because of Northeast storms” via Richard Tribou of the Orlando Sentinel

Quote of the Day

“Whether we get it across the finish line this Session or whether it takes another opportunity, another bite at the apple, we’ll continue to push forward because that’s what’s right.”

— House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell, on the Groveland Four bill.

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.

Former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham is serving a No Dice to those hoping she would enter the race for Florida’s 2nd Congressional District.

Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia brought Cash Backs to seven Panhandle law enforcement agencies that he says are acing immigration enforcement.

A new economic analysis claims loosening vaccine requirements could reduce Florida’s GDP  by $9 billion. That’s a lot of Jabs & Dabs.

Breakthrough Insights

Tune In

Gators, Hurricanes, Bulls among golf teams competing in Jacksonville

Some of the best women’s golfers in the southeast are playing in Jacksonville this week at the UNF Collegiate tournament at Jacksonville Golf and Country Club.

A total of 83 layers from 14 schools, including Florida, Florida Gulf Coast, Miami, USF, Jacksonville University, and the host school, are included.

Golfers began playing at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, with the final round scheduled for Tuesday. Among those competing are UNF’s Kaitlyn Schroeder, daughter of UNF Director of Golf Scott Schoeder. Kaitlyn, a redshirt junior, was an All-ASUN first team last year as she won the UNFL Female Newcomer of the Year.

Florida, ranked No. 8 nationally, did not enter the top four players on the squadbut did enter three golfers, including Elaine Widjaja, ranked No. 115 in the nation.

Oklahoma State, ranked 29th in the poll, sent Marta Silchenko to lead the squad. Silchenko is ranked No. 84 in the nation. Two more Oklahoma State players, Grace Kilcrease and Elie Bushnell, are both ranked in the top 150 nationally.

The women’s golf season includes conference tournaments in April and NCAA regionals beginning on May 11.

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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.