Last Call for 6.2.26 – 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 —

Measure twice, cut once.

It’s the sort of advice usually dispensed by carpenters, contractors and anybody who has ever learned an expensive or painful lesson from a misplaced saw blade. It appears, however, that the mantra doesn’t apply to constitutional amendments.

On Tuesday, lawmakers voted to place a property tax proposal on the November ballot that could dramatically reshape how local governments are funded across Florida — and it’s uncertain just how much local governments will have left to work with if the amendment passes muster.

Both sides spent much of Tuesday’s debate making versions of the same argument. One camp insists Floridians have waited long enough for meaningful property tax relief. The other argued that a proposal of this magnitude should be accompanied by greater certainty about its downstream effects.

Rep. Robin Bartleman, a Weston Democrat, questioned why the amendment couldn’t wait for “actual numbers” from the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, a once-per-20-years panel that analyzes the state’s budget needs and tax structure.

Republican Rep. Toby Overdorf, who carried the House version of the joint resolution, conceded it was “a great question,” but said the Governor’s proposal was what was on the table.

In the absence of hard numbers, local governments across the state have been prepping for the worst. Escambia County estimates the plan would reduce revenues by $124.8 million over two years. Meanwhile, Palm Beach County Schools said it could cost them up to $418 million if homestead exemptions were raised to $250,000.

School funding fears are being assuaged, however, by language inserted by lawmakers that would prevent expanded exemptions from applying to school taxes — during Committee debate Monday, House Speaker-designate Sam Garrison said that was a precondition for the chamber placing the amendment on the ballot.

“Schools are exempt — period, full stop, end of story,” he said.

That solves one of the largest questions surrounding the amendment, but it doesn’t solve all of them. If it passes, county commissions, city councils and special districts across the state will need to do their own math.

— Evening Reads —

—”Donald Trump administration retreated on payout fund, but some in GOP want proof it’s dead” via Theodoric Meyer, Perry Stein and Jarrell Dillard of The Washington Post

—”White House seeks to impose political test on billions in federal grants” via Tony Romm of The New York Times

—”America’s truckers are driving just a little slower to save gas” via Esther Fung of The Wall Street Journal

—”Why Scott Pelley isn’t the hero everyone thinks he is” via Chris Cillizza of So What

—”There is already a word for the deep moral failures of AI” via Tyler Austin Harper of The Atlantic

—”Americans don’t know how to fight AI. So they’re fighting data centers.” via Marina Bolotnikova of Vox

—“‘Giving the public a voice’: Legislature approves putting homestead property tax amendment on ballot” via A.G. Gancarski and Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics

—”‘We stood our ground’: Daniel Perez bids farewell to House, highlights efforts to regain coequality” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics

—”‘Just a normal guy’: Shevrin Jones humble in Senate goodbye ahead of expected congressional run” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics

—“The hidden costs of Ron DeSantis’ reckless tax gimmick” via Moné Holder for Florida Politics

—“Florida officials weigh in on the federal rescheduling of medical marijuana” via Mitch Perry of the Florida Phoenix

—”Despite explosion, Blue Origin CEO says New Glenn will fly before end of year” via Richard Tribou of the Orlando Sentinel

— Quote of the Day —

“Despite what some have suggested, I never intended for conflict to define my tenure as Speaker. But I have always believed that peace without purpose is laziness.”

— House Speaker Daniel Perez, in his likely final farewell address to the House.

— 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.

Garrison, Senate President-designate Jim Boyd and Sens. Jay Trumbull, Jennifer Bradley, and Erin Grall get Guardian Angels for working to carve public schools out of the proposed property tax amendment.

Now that he’s said his final goodbye, send House Speaker Daniel Perez a Brick Wall for standing his ground and a Caipirinha for his next step.

Since Sen. Shev Jones is “just a normal guy,” he’ll take a bog-standard Rickey once he gets to D.C., assuming that’s his next destination.

— Breakthrough Insights —

— Tune In —

Rays’ lead down to 1 game as they host Tigers

The Tampa Bay Rays try to remain atop the American League standings as they host the Detroit Tigers this evening (6:40 p.m. ET, Rays.TV).

The Rays (36-21) have a one-game lead over the New York Yankees in the American League East standings and are coming off a 10-9 loss to the Tigers yesterday. Detroit hit five home runs in the game.

After a hot start to the season, Tampa Bay has lost six of the last eight games to see its divisional lead shrink to a game.

The series against Detroit would seem to be the perfect antidote. The Tigers are last in the American League Central and came into the series with the worst record in the American League. They also had won the fewest road games in the league before last night’s win. Conversely, the Rays have won more home games than any team in baseball, but dropped the opener of the three-game set.

Left-hander Steven Matz (4-2, 2.67 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Rays. Matz started three games in May without a win. His last win was on April 27 against Cleveland. The Tigers are scheduled to send Jack Flaherty (0-7, 5.81 ERA) to the mound in search of his first win of the season.

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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.