Politics
Last Call for 8.4.26 – 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 —
Florida’s proposed property tax amendment is still headed to the November ballot. It just has to stop campaigning for itself first.
A Leon County Circuit Judge on Tuesday ordered the state to rewrite Amendment 3’s ballot title and summary after finding the language read less like a neutral explanation and more like an advertisement.
The amendment survives, but Attorney General James Uthmeier now has 10 days to replace what Judge David Frank described as language that was “more akin to a political slogan” than an impartial ballot summary.
Uthmeier, speaking in Panama City, said his office is taking “a hard look” at the ruling and will have more to say soon, though he stopped short of previewing whether the state plans to appeal or simply buy a pack of red Pilot V5s.
The ruling stems from a lawsuit brought by a bipartisan cast of characters, including former Democratic U.S. Rep. Al Lawson and former Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes.
The court loss is just the latest headache for a proposal that seems determined to unite everyone except the people trying to pass it.
Over the past week alone, the Florida Sheriffs Association joined police and firefighter organizations in opposition, likely GOP gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds acknowledged the need for a state funding formula to protect fiscally constrained counties, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins conceded first responders could be put “at risk,” and even supporters have increasingly spent their time explaining what the amendment doesn’t do rather than what it does.
Meanwhile, Gov. Ron DeSantis, who called the Special Session to put a property tax amendment on the ballot in the first place, has largely distanced himself from the Legislature’s version of the proposal while business groups are giving it the silent treatment.
Now it seems Amendment 3 won’t be able to advocate for itself, either.
— Evening Reads —
—”Donald Trump orders changes to new helipad after weeks of around-the-clockwork” via Dan Diamond and Peter W. Stevenson of The Washington Post
—”What Trump’s latest slump means for the Midterms” via Nate Silver and Eli McKown-Dawson of the Silver Bulletin
—”Is this the most dishonest ad of 2026?” via Rebecca Crosby and Noel Sims of Popular Information
—“How well is the progressive left actually doing?” via Nate Cohn and C.J. Robinson of The New York Times
—“How data centers broke American politics” via Molly Taft of WIRED
—”The quiet way Republicans are trying to undo abortion rights again — starting in Kansas” via Christian Paz of Vox
—“‘More akin to a political slogan’: Judge orders rewrite of property tax amendment’s ballot language” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics
—”James Uthmeier says he’ll push to increase criminal penalties for poaching next Legislative Session” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics
—“How one man’s cure for loneliness started a movement” via Mathylda Dulian of The Wall Street Journal
—”Cuban-born Alfonso Fanjul, who built a sugar empire in Florida, dies in Palm Beach” via Luisa Yanez and Sarah Moreno of the Miami Herald
— Quote of the Day —
“This case was never about whether property taxes should be lower. It was about whether the government can use the ballot to sell an amendment instead of explaining it. The court said no.”
— Former Sen. Jeff Brandes, on the Amendment 3 ruling.
— 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.
Uthmeier and his team need some Drawing Boards as they look to resurrect an amendment that has few enthusiastic supporters.
Instead of bothering the bartender, the folks behind the latest AI ad hitting Florida airwaves can make do with these Stable Diffusion prompts to make one themselves.
We’d recommend the stars behind Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Drawn to Life’ get a Tropical Trapeze but save it until after the show.
— Breakthrough Insights —
— Tune In —
Marlins, Braves both bring winning streaks into series
The Miami Marlins look to extend a three-game winning streak as they open a series in Atlanta against the division-leading Braves (7:15 p.m. ET).
The Marlins have climbed to within 9.5 games of the Braves in the National League East and just two games out of the final wild card spot in the National League. Miami took the final three games of a four-game series in New York against the Mets after sweeping the Phillies.
The run of six wins in seven games comes after a 12-game losing streak. A six-game winning streak preceded the losing skid. To say that the Marlins have been a streaky team is an understatement.
Shortstop Otto Lopez leads the team and ranks third in the Major Leagues with a .321 batting average, while Sandy Alcantara is tied for fourth in the league with 12 wins after earning the victory in the last game of the series against the Mets.
Righthander Ryan Gusto is scheduled to start tonight. Gusto has started eight games this season while appearing in five more out of the bullpen. He pitched five innings against the Phillies on Wednesday but did not figure in the decision after allowing nine hits and six earned runs in an 8-6 Marlins win.
The Braves have won five straight, including a four-game sweep of the Washington Nationals.
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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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