Politics
Last Call for 8.27.26 – 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 Hope Florida grand jury could not identify a criminal defendant. Florida Democrats identified two officeholders they want gone.
All 12 members of the Senate Democratic Caucus are calling for the immediate resignations of Attorney General James Uthmeier and U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody following the disclosure of a sealed grand jury report that found $10 million in taxpayer money was “misappropriated” through a “sophisticated scheme to fund political activities.”
“We don’t need criminal charges to know something is wrong and to demand accountability,” the Senators said in a joint statement. “Attorney General James Uthmeier and Senator Ashley Moody have clearly violated the public trust and betrayed the people they were appointed to serve.”
The grand jury report, filed under seal in January, concluded that the full $67 million settlement with Medicaid contractor Centene — including the disputed $10 million — constituted compensation owed to Florida taxpayers.
The grand jury found Uthmeier, then Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Chief of Staff, held authority over officials involved in the settlement and was identified in testimony as helping direct the money after it reached Hope Florida. It also found Moody, then Attorney General, knew the settlement called for sending the money to Hope Florida and authorized her chief deputy to sign the agreement.
Jurors nevertheless found insufficient evidence to charge anyone. No witness admitted or identified who made the original decision to send the money to Hope Florida.
DeSantis defended the transaction Thursday, saying the money was appropriately programmed and advanced the state’s interests. He argued that the “only crime that was apparent” was the disclosure of the confidential report and accused the media of using the controversy to smear First Lady Casey DeSantis.
— Evening Reads —
—“In Donald Trump’s Washington, ballooning national debt stirs little action” via Peter Baker of The New York Times
—“The wrath of MAGA” via Peter Wehner of The Atlantic
—“Are we living in the second Gilded Age?” via Chris Cillizza of So What
—“Private equity bought up childcare centers. A new study reveals what happened next.” via Rachel Cohen Booth of Vox
—“OpenAI is developing a ‘persistent’ AI agent” via Maxwell Zeff of WIRED
—“Public hospitals face cutbacks if Florida property taxes are reduced under Amendment 3, report says” via Cindy Krischer Goodman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel
—“David Jolly calls for Special Session on Flock Cameras, while Byron Donalds reiterates opposition to ‘surveillance state’” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
—“Ron DeSantis says ‘we’ve done more for rural than any administration’ as he writes more checks” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics
—“DeSantis reveals that his children are cooling on Florida State football after subpar seasons” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
—“Palm Beach County advances plan to temporarily ban data centers” via Abigail Hasebroock of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel
— Quote of the Day —
“Getting an 80,000-pound piece of farm equipment to the dealership is quite a challenge.”
— NFIB Florida Director Bill Herrle, on the REPAIR Act.
— 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.
Send a Country Life to Gov. DeSantis, whose administration has “done more for rural” than any other.
Prime Therapeutics and Express Scripts could use a Classic Painkiller after James Uthmeier filed suit accusing the PBM companies of price fixing.
Break out the Citrus Double-Header for GOP Governor nominee Byron Donalds and DeSantis, who will appear together on Sept. 1 in Tampa at T. Pepin’s Hospitality Center.
— Breakthrough Insights —
— Tune In —
Dolphins, Buccaneers, Jaguars set to wrap preseason
The final weekend of the NFL’s preseason is nearly here. With four games scheduled for tonight, 10 for Friday and two for Saturday, the regular season is nearly here.
Tomorrow, the Miami Dolphins conclude the preseason against the Atlanta Falcons at Hard Rock Stadium (7 p.m. ET, CBS4 Miami and WPTV in West Palm Beach).
Under first-year head coach Jeff Hafley, the Dolphins have one of the youngest rosters in the league. The team drafted 13 rookies, the most in the NFL. After losses to the Washington Commanders and New York Giants, Miami is looking for a preseason win. However, more important than the result is the starters’ play. In the preseason opener, the first-team offense drove 93 yards for a touchdown. They’ll look for more of the same from quarterback Malik Willis and company.
Also on Friday, the other Florida teams will face off as the Jacksonville Jaguars host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7:30 p.m. ET, WFOX in Jacksonville, WFLA in Tampa).
The Jaguars have not played most of the key starters in the preseason. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has not taken a snap in either of the Jaguars’ preseason games: a win at the New Orleans Saints and a loss to the Carolina Panthers last Friday at EverBank Stadium. Liam Coen said that key starters will not play against the Buccaneers.
Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles also plans to rest his top players.
___
Last Call is published by Peter Schorsch, assembled and edited by Phil Ammann and Drew Wilson, with contributions from the staff of Florida Politics.
The post Last Call for 8.27.26 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida appeared first on Florida Politics – Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government..