Politics
Last Call for 7.22.25 – 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
Gov. Ron DeSantis and his “warrior” Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia are taking their Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) show on the road.
Appearing in Fort Lauderdale and Gainesville, the Governor and his latest appointment rolled out probes starting July 31 on pay, contracts and socially progressive policies taking taxpayer funds.
DeSantis noted in Broward that this swing to announce “on-site inspections and audits” of local and county governments was part of the “DOGE’ing of local government” and an effort to look at “problems in local governments” amid “complaints” he has heard.
At both stops, DeSantis promised changes.
In Gainesville, he joked that left-leaning Zohran Mamdani, a New York mayoral candidate, “probably could get elected” in the liberal college town. DeSantis then pointed out purportedly profligate spending that will be spotted by “real auditors on the ground” in a “thorough review.”
Gainesville has increased its operating budget by $90 million a year off the strength of an 86% ad valorem increase since 2020, DeSantis said.
He noted in Fort Lauderdale that “taxpayers here in Broward have watched their county government (increase) property tax burdens by the tune of $450 million in addition to ad valorem collections. So that’s an increase of close to 50%, just since 2020.”
Read more on Florida Politics.
Evening Reads
—”From Truth Social to bitcoin empire: Donald Trump’s $2 billion pivot” via Judd Legum, Rebecca Crosby and Noel Sims of Popular Information
—“Just when you thought the Jeffrey Epstein story was dying out …” via Chris Cillizza of So What
—”Trump’s student arrests, and the lawsuit fighting them, tread new ground” via Zach Montague of The New York Times
—”The hype man of Trump’s mass deportations” via Nick Miroff of The Atlantic
—”Everything is a ‘false flag’ now” David Gilbert of WIRED
—“Gov. Ron DeSantis says he doesn’t know whether Alligator Alcatraz inmates are being denied access to lawyers” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
—“A health care tax credit that powers Florida’s small businesses is going away” via Riya Sharma of the Tampa Bay Times
—“UF breaks own record on spending for research projects in FY 2025” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics
—“Mary had schizophrenia — then suddenly she didn’t” via Rachel Aviv of The New Yorker
Quote of the Day
“There is a new era of accountability in Florida when it comes to wasteful spending.”
— CFO Blaise Ingoglia, during his and Ron DeSantis’ DOGE roadshow.
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.
It’s another round of Suffering Bastards for Gainesville residents because if this latest stunt is anything like when GRU became “Governor Ron Utilities,” they’re about to be paying more and getting less.
A certain AI has apparently been hitting the Grok Juice pretty hard of late — it can’t even remember that the Gators are the reigning NCAA champs.
Something tells us Attorney General James Uthmeier wouldn’t react well if you ordered him one of the tasty concoctions in Dragtails.
Breakthrough Insights
Tune In
Rays continue hunt for playoff spot
The Tampa Bay Rays continue to chase a wild card spot as they continue a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox tonight (7:05 p.m. ET, FanDuel Sports Network Sun)
After winning the first two games after the All-Star break, Tampa Bay dropped the final game of a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles and then lost the series opener against Chicago last night.
The Rays stand 1.5 games out of the final wild card spot in the American League, trailing the Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox, who would have the final two spots if the season ended today.
Tampa Bay has been a respectable 22-22 on the road but only three games above .500 in their temporary home, Steinbrenner Field. The schedule makers have not been kind to the Rays, who have played the last 10 games and 16 of the last 19 on the road before the All-Star break. After the Rays wrap up the series against the White Sox, the team will play three games on the road in Cincinnati and four in New York against the Yankees.
The Rays are scheduled to send Drew Rasmussen (7-5, 2.86 ERA) to the mound against Chicago’s Davis Martin (2-7, 3.79).
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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.
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The horrific shooting in Australia that claimed at least 16 lives during a Hanukkah celebration has prompted an expression of sympathy from Florida lawmakers.
The Florida Jewish Legislative Caucus issued a statement of condemnation of the violence during the Jewish observance on Sydney’s Bondi Beach. The Caucus published its statement Sunday afternoon.
“The Florida Legislative Jewish Caucus unequivocally condemns the horrific and senseless killing that occurred during Hanukkah in Australia. An act of violence against Jews celebrating their faith is an attack not only on a single community, but on the fundamental values of freedom, religious liberty, and human dignity,” the Florida Legislative Caucus said in a news release.
“We stand in unwavering solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia, with the victims’ families, and with Jewish communities around the world who are once again forced to confront hatred simply for being who they are. The State of Florida’s Jewish legislators join in mourning, remembrance, and resolve.”
The Florida LegislativeJewish Caucus has a dozen members from the House of Representatives and two State Senators.
Hundreds of people had gathered Sunday at the beach for an event to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah, when gunmen opened fire. At least 38 others were injured in the attack.
New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park said the death toll had risen from 12 to 16 overnight, including a 12-year-old child. Three other children are being treated in hospital, he said.
“This is absolutely horrendous for the community broadly, but particularly the Jewish community. … What we saw last night was the worst of humanity, but at the same time, the very best of humanity,” Park said.
The massacre at one of Australia’s most popular beaches followed a wave of antisemitic attacks that have roiled the country over the past year, although the authorities didn’t suggest those and Sunday’s shooting were connected. It is the deadliest shooting in almost three decades in a country with strict gun control laws.
One gunman was fatally shot by police and the second was arrested and in critical condition, authorities said. Police said one gunman was known to security services, but there was no specific threat.
At least 29 people were confirmed wounded, including two police officers, said Mal Lanyon, police commissioner for New South Wales state, where Sydney is located.
“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community,” New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said.
The violence erupted at the end of a summer day when thousands had flocked to Bondi Beach, including hundreds gathered for the Chanukah by the Sea event celebrating the start of the eight-day Hanukkah festival.
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Material from The Associated Press was used in this report with permission.
Behavioral health officials have a list of precautions for Floridians to deal with anxieities heading into Christmas and New Year’s Day.
While the holidays can bring a lot of comfort and joy, the can also be a stressful time and Florida’s health management entities are providing some helpful tips to deal with yuletide anxiety.
There are seven behavioral health managing entities in the state and all of them are aware that stress heading into Christmas and New Year’s Day can seem overwhelming at times. They’re advising balance may be one of the key elements in dealing with the holidays.
“The holidays are a time of joy, but they can also be a time of stress, sadness and triggering situations,” said Natalie Kelly, CEO of the Florida Association of Managing Entities. “Florida’s behavioral health Managing Entities remind Floridians that behavioral health services are available, even to those who are uninsured or underinsured.”
The state’s behavioral health professionals are also providing a list of tips to help come to grips with any holiday tension including:
— Get plenty of exercise. Exercising boosts your mood and combats depression.
— Limit alcohol intake. Alcohol is a depressant that can cause feelings of anxiety, sadness and depression.
— Set healthy boundaries and don’t overextend yourself. Setting realistic expectations can help reduce stress.
— Seek the help of a counselor for mental health needs. If you feel overwhelmed or the need to get help to address your feelings, contact a counselor.
— Call 2-1-1 if needed to connect with resources in your community.
— Call 9-8-8 if you or a loved one is having suicidal thoughts.
A mental-health treatment network has been established in the state for providers who deliver services to residents needing help. Those services extend to parents and children, veterans and the homeless.
Providers serve patients for not only mental health needs, but substance use, housing, transportation and employment help. Those managing entities are often overseen by community organizations and administrators and are accountable to state and federal funds.
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