Politics
Last Call for 9.1.26 – 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 —
September is here, which means peak hurricane season has arrived right on schedule — and Florida would like everyone to please check the batteries before the weather develops a name.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has proclaimed September Florida Preparedness Month, giving the Florida Division of Emergency Management a fresh reason to deliver some familiar reminders: Know your evacuation zone, make a household disaster plan and restock the emergency kit before a storm starts spinning toward the state.
September is historically the busiest part of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs through Nov. 30. FDEM says the Atlantic basin has recorded at least one named storm in September during each of the past 60 years.
“Floridians should take this opportunity to ensure they are prepared for the remainder of hurricane season,” FDEM Executive Director Jared W. Perdue said.
The agency recommends keeping enough food, water, medication and other essentials to carry every person and pet in a household for up to seven days. It also advises residents to keep gas tanks or electric vehicle batteries at least half full during hurricane season and, if ordered to leave, remember that reaching safety may require traveling only tens of miles rather than joining an exodus across the state.
Preparedness got a little cheaper last year: Since July 1, 2025, batteries, fire extinguishers, portable generators and many other disaster supplies have been permanently exempt from state sales tax. The full list is available at FloridaDisaster.org/TaxFree.
Residents can check their evacuation zone at FloridaDisaster.org/Know, build a customized plan at FloridaMakeAPlan.com and register household members who need 24-hour care or electricity-dependent medical equipment through Florida’s Special Needs Registry.
— Evening Reads —
—”Donald Trump meant it literally when he said he was taking the oil” via Jonathan Chait of The Atlantic
—”Thanks to Lake Ontario, MapQuest is popular all over again” via Aoife Walsh of The Washington Post
—“Why we’re not hanging up on phone polling” via Nate Cohn of The New York Times
—“Are Democrats headed for a blue wave… or a blue tsunami?” via Chris Cillizza of So What
—”What would it take to actually stop the data centers?” via Eric Levitz of Vox
—”Will lawmakers act on Hope Florida grand jury’s call for change? Maybe.” via Romy Ellenbogen and Liv Caputo of the Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald
—“You’d probably be in cuffs if you did what the Hope Florida schemers did” via Scott Maxwell of the Orlando Sentinel
—”Florida counties rapidly remove Flock cameras after Ron DeSantis digs in” via Elena Barrera of the Tallahassee Democrat
—“Florida Policy Project: Sunshine State has a starter home problem, and it’s bad for affordability” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics
—”Paula Stark searches for her next act after losing seat in qualifying disaster” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics
— Quote of the Day —
“The House has proven that we are ready and willing to do that.”
— House Speaker-designate Sam Garrison, on law changes addressed in the Hope Florida grand jury report.
— 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 Tropical Knife Fight to Rep. Alex Rizo, whose entry made the race for open SD 39 a two-person contest.
August marked the sixth straight month of declining consumer confidence in UF’s survey, officially qualifying everyday Floridians for a Dumpster Fire.
The Florida Policy Project has rolled out results of its latest work on affordable housing. The short version: If you need four walls, get the whiskey.
— Breakthrough Insights —
— Tune In —
Rays continue to protect top spot
With 25 games to play, the Tampa Bay Rays continue to hold on to the best record in the American League as they continue a three-game series against the New York Mets (6:40 p.m. ET, Rays.TV).
Tampa Bay dropped the first game of the series 3-2 on Monday, but the Rays’ margin atop the division remained at 4.5 games due to the New York Yankees’ loss. They have won six of the last eight games.
The Rays (82-55) have clinched a winning record this season but have bigger plans for the rest of the season.
Righthander Freddy Peralta (6-11, 5.11 ERA) is scheduled to start for Tampa Bay, looking for his second consecutive win. Last time out against the Detroit Tigers, Peralta tossed six innings of two-hit ball to secure his first victory since June 14.
New York is scheduled to counter with Sean Manaea (4-6, 4.55 ERA), who has split time as a starter and reliever. The veteran left-hander lost his last start, surrendering six runs in 5.2 innings in an 8-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
The series concludes tomorrow before the Rays go on the road for seven straight games, four in Texas against the Rangers and three in Atlanta against the Braves.
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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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