Politics
Last Call for 9.14.26 – 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 Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday is back for a second year, suspending sales taxes through Dec. 31 on eligible firearms, ammunition and a range of hunting, fishing and camping supplies.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the details Monday in Lakeland, where he also participated in a groundbreaking for a new state-funded archery center.
The holiday began Sept. 1. The Governor’s Office estimates it will provide about $40 million in tax relief this year. The administration estimates that the inaugural 2025 holiday provided another $45 million, bringing the projected savings over the program’s first two years to nearly $85 million.
Tax-free purchases include ammunition; pistols, rifles and shotguns; and firearm accessories such as holsters, grips, sights, stocks and cleaning kits. Bows, crossbows, fishing rods, reels and certain camping supplies — including tents, sleeping bags, camping stoves and lanterns — are also eligible.
The 2026 holiday doubles the eligible price thresholds for fishing bait and tackle. Individual items priced at $10 or less qualify, as do multiple items sold together for $20 or less.
The Governor’s Office also said a separate sales tax exemption has been expanded to cover additional firearm accessories, including magazines, range bags, barrels, triggers, slings, bipods and suppressors.
“This year’s hunting, fishing and camping sales tax holiday—ongoing through December 31—will provide Floridians with even more tax relief,” DeSantis said. “We are proud to protect Floridians’ Second Amendment rights while helping hunters, anglers, and sportsmen keep more of their hard-earned money.”
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Chief Conservation Officer George Warthen said the holiday gives consumers an opportunity to invest in equipment that connects them with the outdoors.
DeSantis paired the tax announcement with a groundbreaking for the Florida Archery Center at Tenoroc in Lakeland. The project was authorized in this year’s state budget, according to the Governor’s Office. The announcement did not include a construction cost or anticipated opening date.
Tenoroc currently offers supervised rifle and handgun ranges, sporting clays, 5-stand, trap, air rifle and archery ranges. The state says the new center will expand those offerings and provide additional opportunities for shooting and archery sports.
A full list of qualifying purchases is available through the Florida Department of Revenue.
— Evening Reads —
—“Fear and delusion in Dallas: Inside Donald Trump’s Midterm Convention flop” via Nikki McCann Ramirez of Rolling Stone
—“How Trump is spending his $400 million war chest” via Judd Legum of Popular Information
—“Trump says AI doesn’t need more guardrails and calls safety fears a hoax” via Brian Schwartz of The Wall Street Journal
—“Trump wants to push tempo of AI race, countering tech leaders’ call for slowdown” via Ian Duncan and Gerrit De Vynck of The Washington Post
—“The week the AI freakout went mainstream” via Andrew Prokop of Vox
—“September polling has been very good for Democrats” via Nate Silver of the Silver Bulletin
—“‘Alligator Alcatraz’ used small cages as ‘calming areas,’ report says” via Madeleine Ngo, Hamed Aleaziz and David Ovalle of The New York Times
—“Ron DeSantis faces questions over cages at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’” via Stephany Matat of USA Today Network-Florida
—“‘Republicans for Jolly’ effort launches in St. Petersburg” via Mitch Perry of the Florida Phoenix
—“Michael Alford gave FSU fans what they wanted with Mike Norvell — and now he’s fired because of it” via Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel
— Quote of the Day —
“Ten million people crossed our borders illegally. They weren’t checking names. They damn sure weren’t checking vaccination records.”
— U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, on the rise in measles cases.
— 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.
Democrat David Jolly is banking on a Purple Haze to win the Governor race with the launch of Republicans for Jolly.
Pour a Honey Deuce for Blaise Ingoglia and Annette Taddeo, who are tied according to a new poll from Change Research.
Send a Ruby Red to U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody for pressing federal regulators to expand red snapper recreational fishing permits.
— Breakthrough Insights —
— Tune In —
Marlins hanging on to faint playoff hopes
The Miami Marlins try to keep faint playoff hopes alive as they open a three-game series at the Arizona Diamondbacks (9:40 p.m. ET, Marlins.TV).
Miami (74-76) sits 7.5 games out of the final wild card spot in the National League with 12 games remaining in the regular season. Arizona and the Pittsburgh Pirates are also chasing the wild card spot and have better records than the Marlins. Hopes are thin for Miami, although they are still mathematically alive.
Right-hander Sandy Alcantara is scheduled to start tonight for the Marlins. Alcantara is 13-10, tied for 12th most wins in the league despite not recording a victory since Aug. 8, a stretch of seven starts. Alcantara has not faced the Diamondbacks this season.
Arizona counters with Corbin Burns, who is scheduled to make his first start and second appearance of the season for the Diamondbacks. The four-time All-Star and 2021 Cy Young Award winner is returning from Tommy John surgery and a muscle tear in the shoulder region.
Any combination of six Miami losses or San Diego Padres wins will eliminate the Marlins from postseason contention.
Although the batting title does not carry the same significance as it once did, Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez ranks third in the Majors and second in the National League batting race with a .309 average. Luis Arraez of the Philadelphia Phillies leads with a .313 average.
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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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