Last Call for 8.3.26 – 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 —

Start blocking off your calendars.

The House and Senate have agreed on the interim Committee meeting schedule leading into the 2027 Regular Session, according to a memorandum issued Monday by the Senate Secretary.

The legislative calendar begins Nov. 17-19 with training for Senators. The Senate will also convene Nov. 17 for its constitutionally required Organization Session, during which members will formally select their officers, with Sen. Jim Boyd set to take over as Senate President.

Lawmakers will return to Tallahassee for their first full stretch of interim Committee meetings the week Nov. 30. After that, the schedule settles into a Monday-through-Thursday rhythm after New Year’s, with the weeks of Jan. 4, Jan. 11, Feb. 1, Feb. 8 and Feb. 15 set for Committees ahead of Session.

Senate Secretary Tracy Cantella wrote that the calendar was designed to provide sufficient time for Committee work while preserving time for “family and holiday celebrations.”

In other words: no Committee packets under the tree this year.

Opening day of the 2027 Regular Session is set for March 2. Opening day of the 2027 Regular Session is set for March 2. Assuming lawmakers revive the quaint tradition of finishing a 60-day Session in 60 days, they would adjourn April 30.

— Evening Reads —

—“These five poll numbers should terrify Donald Trump” via Chris Cillizza of So What

—“Is the Midterm cake baked?” via Dan Merica of The Washington Post

—“Inside the secretive Boards deciding trans troops’ fate” via Greg Jaffe and Dave Philipps of The New York Times

—“The struggling colleges raiding their endowments to pay the bills” via Douglas Belkin of The Wall Street Journal

—“ICE collected nearly 1 million people’s DNA last year — including young children” via Dhruv Mehrotra of WIRED

—“Inside Ashley Moody’s very cautious Senate campaign in Florida” via Kimberly Leonard and Gary Fineout of POLITICO

—”Time is running out as Jay Collins says DeSantis ‘has not said no’ to endorsing him” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics

—“Inside the revolt against Florida’s controversial police security cameras” via John Pacenti of the USA Today Network-Florida

—“Don Gaetz: Next Governor should review KidCare challenge before continuing Ron DeSantis’ fight” via Christine Sexton of the Florida Phoenix

—“Most people want out of jury duty. For these Pinellas women, court is a calling” via Natanya Friedham of the Tampa Bay Times

— Quote of the Day —

“You can say whatever you want on a campaign trail, you’ve got to be able to deliver that in policy.”

— U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, on Flock camera rules.

— 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.

Lt. Gov. Jay Collins is doubling down on the One in a Millions, claiming the Governor could still endorse him with the Primary just days away.

Democrat Alex Vindman may need to up the burn rate, because he’s sitting on a Treasure Chest in his bid to knock off appointed incumbent Ashley Moody.

The job market is ordering Drop Shots for the second week running after first-time unemployment claims fell to just 5,806 for the week ending July 25.

— Breakthrough Insights —

— Tune In —

Rays open long road trip in Colorado

The Tampa Bay Rays continue to hold on to the best record in the American League as they open a nine-game road trip with the first of three straight games in Denver against the Colorado Rockies (8:40 p.m. ET, Rays.TV).

The Rays have won nine of the last 13 games but lost two of three at home against the Chicago White Sox over the weekend. The lone win in the series came with Drew Rasmussen on the mound. Rasmussen will not start in the series against the Rockies, but is scheduled to start when the road trip moves on to Seattle. Rasmussen is from Puyallup, Washington.

Lefthander Ian Seymour is scheduled to make his eighth start of the season tonight. Seymour (7-3, 4.37 ERA) has appeared in 29 games out of the bullpen. He won his last appearance, coming on in relief and pitching 4.2 innings in a 3-0 victory over the Texas Rangers.

Michael Lorenzen (3-9, 6.54 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Rockies. Lorenzen has not earned a win since June.

After the series at Colorado, the Rays will face the Mariners and Athletics on the West Coast before returning home to open a seven-game homestand against the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays beginning Aug. 14.

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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.