Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 6.18.26

Good Thursday morning.

Let’s begin Sunburn with the latest from the saltshaker by our good friend Steve Vancore.

“The Salt Shaker test: Change Research poll with David Jolly ahead of Byron Donalds warrants heavy salting” via Steve Vancore of Florida Politics — A new Change Research poll showing Jolly leading Donalds 47% to 42% may look like a splashy data point in the 2026 race.

It also deserves a generous pour of Morton’s.

Start with the good news: the poll is transparent. Change Research discloses the client, recruitment sources, weighting variables, post-stratification targets and limitations. The sample size is reasonable, and the weighting on age, gender, race, education, 2024 Presidential vote and region is not junk.

But the problems are not small.

Part of the sample was opt-in and self-selected, including recruitment through Facebook and Instagram ads. That risks overrepresenting voters motivated enough to respond, especially at a moment when Democratic enthusiasm is running high.

The survey was also conducted only in English, a serious limitation in a state with substantial Spanish-dominant Hispanic communities. And it included self-described likely voters, even while 20% of respondents said they were not likely to vote.

The biggest issue is the ballot test.

Instead of asking a clean, uninformed question, the survey gave voters descriptions and photos of both candidates. Jolly received more words and, in my view, more favorable framing; Donalds’ description leaned into endorsements, corporate ties and combative language.

So, no, the poll should not be dismissed outright. Its methods are more transparent than most. But opt-in recruiting, English-only fielding, self-described voter behavior and a narrative ballot test all point in the same direction: take these findings with a whole lotta salt.

— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —

—@MarkLevinShow: FWIW, I am working on a much more detailed take on the MOU and related matters, but let me post this very brief thought: I find much to be concerned about in this MOU and I am truly hopeful that the next 60-days can be used to make important amendments to it. I trust the administration is open to making some very important changes and not dug in as this negotiation continues. To name only one issue among others, there is no way most Americans, let alone Israelis and the Lebanese, can abide a deal in which Hezbollah, which has brutally murdered hundreds of our fellow citizens, is essentially protected by our government in alliance with the Iranian regime, and free to continue to kill Americans, Israelis, and others as the most potent terror weapon of the Iranian regime not only survives but is immunized. And since Israel is the only country that actually fights this enemy with its soldiers and airmen, and whose citizens are in the direct line of fire from missile and drone attacks, nobody in their right mind will tolerate this. No amount of berating our ally or pressuring the PM, which is shocking, changes anything. I want to underscore Hezbollah has killed our people and we’ve done next to nothing to deal with it. In and of itself, that is shameful.

Tweet, tweet:

Tweet, tweet:

Tweet, tweet:

Tweet, tweet:

Tweet, tweet:

Tweet, tweet:

Tweet, tweet:

— DAYS UNTIL —

‘Toy Story 5’ premieres — 1; House of the Dragon season 3 premiere — 3; The final season of ‘The Bear’ premieres — 7; ‘Supergirl’ premieres — 8; Florida GOP Sunshine State Showdown debates — 8; 2026 Florida Statewide Finals – National Civics Bee — 12; live-action ‘Moana’ premieres — 13; Primary Election UOCAVA ballot deadline — 16; Primary Election domestic ballot deadline — 21; 2026 Florida Python Challenge — 22; MLB All-Star Game — 26; Domestic Primary Election VBM deadline — 28; Primary Election voter registration deadline — 32; ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ premieres — 43; ‘Ted Lasso’ season 4 premieres — 48; Primary Election ballot request deadline — 49; Early voting period begins — 51; ‘Lanterns’ premieres on HBO — 59; Primary Election Day — 61; NFL regular season kicks off — 83; San Francisco 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams in first-ever NFL regular season game in Melbourne, Australia — 84; Yankees host the Mets for 9/11 anniversary — 85; MLB Roberto Clemente Day — 89; General Election UOCAVA ballot deadline — 93; Tampa Bay Buccaneers opener against Cleveland Browns — 94; General Election domestic ballot deadline — 98; Domestic General Election VBM deadline — 105; General Election voter registration deadline — 109; ‘The Social Network’ sequel with Jeremy Strong, Jeremy Allen White and Mikey Madison premieres — 113; Early Voting General Election begins — 128; General Election — 138; ‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ premieres — 141; 2026 Florida Automated Vehicles Summit — 146; ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ premieres — 155; Brad Pitt returns as Cliff Booth, his Academy-award winning role, in a film directed by David Fincher, written by Quentin Tarantino — 160; ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ premieres — 183; ‘Dune: Part 3’ premieres — 183; untitled Star Wars movie premieres — 183; College Football Playoff national title game in Las Vegas — 221; 69th annual Grammy Awards — 234; Super Bowl LXI — 241; Tampa Mayoral Election — 257; 2027 Oscars — 269; Jacksonville First Election — 278; Jacksonville General Election — 334; ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’ premieres — 352; ‘Bluey the Movie’ premieres — 414; ‘Miami Vice’ reboot premieres — 414; ‘The Batman 2’ premieres — 470; ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ premieres — 547; College Football Playoff national title game in New Orleans — 585; 2028 Oscars — 626; ‘Lilo & Stitch 2’ premieres — 708; ‘Incredibles 3’ premieres — 729; Los Angeles Olympics Opening Ceremony — 757; U.S. Presidential Election — 873; College Football Playoff national title game in Tampa — 949; Avatar 4 premieres — 1,273; College Football Playoff national title games in Miami — 1,313; Avatar 5 premieres — 2,004.

— TOP STORY —

“Appeals court strikes down law blocking concealed-carry under age 21” via Rafael Olmeda of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — A Florida appeals court has struck down a nearly 40-year-old state law that barred law-abiding adults from carrying concealed firearms until they turned 21. The 4th District Court of Appeal’s ruling was not exactly a shock. Attorney General James Uthmeier, whose office was responsible for defending the statute, openly opposed the age restriction and asked the court to invalidate it.

The law had been on the books since 1987, making it illegal for otherwise eligible adults between 18 and 20 to carry concealed weapons. The court’s decision now clears the way for younger adults to claim the same concealed-carry rights available to older Floridians.

The ruling lands in a state that has already loosened gun restrictions in recent years, including the move to permitless concealed-carry. Supporters of the challenge argued that the age limit violated constitutional protections and treated young adults as second-class citizens despite recognizing them as adults in other areas of law. Gun-safety advocates are likely to see it differently, warning that expanding concealed-carry to people under 21 will make public spaces less safe and further erode limits adopted after years of concern over gun violence.

For now, the practical effect is clear: Florida’s long-standing ban on adults under 21 carrying concealed weapons has been struck down, and the state’s top legal officer helped push it over the edge.

— 2026 —

Jay Collins launches statewide ‘Come and Take It Tour’ — Lt. Gov. Collins kicked off his statewide gubernatorial tour at Grey Man Armory in Milton, unveiling an agenda focused on defending the Second Amendment, restoring due process and keeping Florida tough on crime. The plan would repeal and replace the state’s red flag law with a “due-process-first framework,” repeal the bump stock ban, restore the firearm purchase age to 18, defend constitutional and open carry, hold current grand theft thresholds and back the repeal of the federal National Firearms Act. “Florida does not have to choose between the Second Amendment and public safety,” Collins said. Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson, who has endorsed Collins, joined the event alongside Chief Deputy Randy Tifft. Collins said the tour will continue as he campaigns on protecting Gov. Ron DeSantis’ legacy.

“‘Steadfast supporter’: Florida firefighters throw support to Ashley Moody for Senate” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Florida’s largest firefighters’ union is backing U.S. Sen. Moody as she stands for election in November, giving the Plant City Republican support from a group that also endorsed her 2022 Attorney General re-election bid. Florida Professional Firefighters President Wayne “Bernie” Bernoska called Moody a “steadfast supporter of Florida’s firefighters and paramedics,” pointing to her record on public safety from the Attorney General’s Office to the Senate. Moody said firefighters “run toward danger so the rest of us can run to safety” and deserve a voice in Washington. The union also cited her introduction of the HELPER Act, which would create a Federal Housing Administration program offering mortgage assistance to first responders and teachers.

“‘Why are we even talking?’ Evan Power says no national media wanted to cover a Governor debate” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Republican Party of Florida Chair Evan Power said there’s no time left to organize a gubernatorial debate this month. The state party angered multiple campaigns when it canceled a planned debate at the Sunshine State Showdown after only one candidate for Governor, U.S. Rep. Donalds, met the pre-established debate criteria. At this debate, the state party required a 10% polling average in the month before the debate, as well as $10 million in campaign donations from 10,000 donors. That has upset three other campaigns regularly treated in media outlets as the Primary field, including Collins, fund manager James Fishback and former House Speaker Paul Renner. “I was told, quite frankly, by a national news outlet that, ‘You have a nominee. Why are we even talking about this?’” Power said.

— MORE ELECTIONS —

“House Majority PAC drops more money into South Florida battlegrounds” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — A leadership Committee associated with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries continues to commit resources to Florida, betting that the state’s aggressive redistricting will lead to pick up opportunities in November. The House Majority PAC will fund a second round of TV and digital buys in the state. The new money comes after a $20 million initial commitment to the state. The latest buys target Miami and West Palm Beach. Democrats may be best positioned to win a seat that President Donald Trump carried in 2024 in Florida’s 25th Congressional District, where moderate Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz is among the candidates. Moskowitz supports Israel and managed DeSantis’ Division of Emergency Management. Jeffries and DeSantis exchanged words around the time the redistricting map was passed. Jeffries decried the effort as a “dummymander.”

“June Piscitelli endorses Amanda Marie Green in CD 2” via Florida Politics — Green has added another name to her growing endorsement column. The Democratic candidate in CD 2 picked up the backing of Piscitelli, a longtime recruiter and mentor of pro-choice, Democratic women candidates. “Amanda impressed me from the moment I met her,” Piscitelli said. “She is an honest, trustworthy, and intelligent woman.” Green, who faces an Aug. 18 Primary for the seat Neal Dunn is vacating, said the support means a great deal from someone who “understands the importance of electing leaders who are focused on solving problems, delivering results for their communities.” The nod joins prior backing from former U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd and the Florida AFL-CIO.

“A brain surgeon by day and law professor by night, Nizam Razack feels ready for rigors of Congress” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Dr. Razack teaches law classes when he isn’t performing neurosurgery, and now he wants to serve in Congress. “I’m an entrepreneur. I have a medical practice and a law consulting business, and I’m a law school professor … my qualifications and my background are different than any of the other candidates,” the Dr. Phillips Republican said. The first-time candidate jumped in after U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster announced his retirement, joining a five-way GOP Primary for Florida’s 11th Congressional District. Razack wants to focus on controlling spending: “In surgery, we call it ‘stop the bleeding.’” He’d reduce foreign aid, weed out fraud, and push hospital price transparency to bring down a “$5 trillion” healthcare tab.

Leela Gray picks up labor backing in CD 13 — Retired Brig. Gen. Gray has earned the endorsements of the Florida AFL-CIO and the West Central Florida Labor Council in her run for CD 13. The AFL-CIO, the state’s largest federation of unions, represents more than 500 local unions, 10 Councils and over 1 million members, retirees and their families across industries like construction, healthcare, education, agriculture, hospitality and public safety. “Leela Gray has spent her life fighting for the people beside her, standing up for those who have been left behind, and never once putting herself before the mission,” said Stephanie Yocum, president of the West Central Florida Labor Council. “She has made clear that the kitchen table issues our members face every day, from insurance costs to worker protections to retirement security, will be her priorities in Congress.” Gray called the support an honor and said she’s running so Pinellas “has a representative who puts working people first every single day.” The nods come as recent polling shows Gray tied with Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, adding to backing from Rep. Kathy Castor, Colorado Rep. Jason Crow, Ruth’s List founder Alex Sink, Safety Harbor Mayor Joe Ayoub, EMILY’s List, New Politics and VoteVets.

“Betty Ferguson, Barbara Jordan endorse ‘proven leader’ Shevrin Jones for CD 24” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Two former Miami-Dade County Commissioners are endorsing state Sen. Jones in the Democratic Primary for Florida’s 24th Congressional District — a notable move, as they preceded one of Jones’ rivals on the Commission. Former Miami-Dade Commissioners Ferguson and Jordan are backing Jones over Oliver Gilbert, who holds the District 1 seat on the Commission. Jordan, who succeeded Ferguson and served on the County Commission from 2004 to 2020, said that while Jones has delivered life-changing results for his constituents, Gilbert broke a commitment to voters to prioritize their interests over special interests, without elaborating. “Congress has enough people whose word doesn’t hold up,” she said. “While some ‘leaders’ say one thing and do another, Shevrin doesn’t just talk about change — he makes it happen and brings the fresh perspective Congress sorely needs these days.”

— EVEN MORE ELECTIONS —

“Democratic rivals Lucia Báez-Geller, Ashley Litwin Diego outraise GOP incumbent in HD 106” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Two Democrats competing to face Republican Rep. Fabián Basabe in this year’s General Election have been outpacing him in fundraising, with both tapping grassroots donors. At the same time, he accepts real estate and political dollars. Former Miami-Dade County School Board member Báez-Geller and lawyer Ashley Litwin Diego were neck-and-neck during the April-May period, when both exceeded $57,000 in gains. Basabe, who is seeking a third term representing House District 106 in northeast Miami-Dade, took in just over $14,000 between April 1 and June 12. While Basabe’s funding haul was comparatively meager, it’s not for lack of reason; much of his activity between April and mid-June was bankrolled by the Florida House Republican Campaign Committee, which spent more than $32,000 on telephone calls and other services earmarked as “campaign consulting.”

Happening this weekend:

— STATEWIDE —

“Is Alligator Alcatraz empty? It appears so, for now” via Juan Carlos Chavez and Henry Fernandez of the Tampa Bay Times — In a move that could mark the final chapter for one of the nation’s most controversial immigration detention centers, Alligator Alcatraz may now be empty after detainees were moved out in recent days. The Department of Homeland Security said in a brief statement that the decision to transfer detainees from the Everglades complex was made for safety reasons as hurricane season begins. The department did not say how many people were relocated, whether the center will reopen after hurricane season ends or whether detainees could be sent back there later. “They made people sit detained in that facility through the entire season last year,” said Elise Bennett, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. “This seems like a very thinly veiled attempt to try to sidle away from this project that has now become not very politically expedient.”

“To veto or not? All eyes are on Ron DeSantis, sovereign immunity bill” via the Florida Phoenix — DeSantis, who recently pushed for a major overhaul of property taxes paid to cities and counties, will soon decide whether to increase the amount of money local governments and the state must pay out in negligence lawsuits. The Legislature sent HB 145 to DeSantis on June 15. The Governor has until June 30 to sign it, veto it, or allow the bill to become law without his signature. HB 145 was one of the most hotly contested pieces of legislation during the 2026 Regular Session, attracting hundreds of lobbyist registrations. And at least two organizations have sent correspondence to the Governor requesting that he veto the bill.

“DeSantis signs ban on cancer-linked firefighting foam, requires PFAS water tests” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — DeSantis has signed legislation to phase out toxic flame-retardant foam used by firefighters across the state. The measure (HB 1019), effective July 1, will gradually ban the use, sale and possession of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), a firefighting agent containing PFAS, so-called “forever chemicals” linked to cancer and other diseases. It is dubbed the “Joe Casello Act” after late Boynton Beach Democratic Rep. Joe Casello, who served as a Massachusetts firefighter for 30 years and spent years pushing to address PFAS contamination in drinking water before his death. Beginning next month, the foam can no longer be used for nonemergency training; by July 1, 2029, possession and use will be banned outright.

“DeSantis signs off on Joe Gruters’ Citizens Property Insurance reforms” via Jesse Mendoza of Florida Politics — DeSantis signed Sarasota Republican Sen. Gruters’ measure to shrink the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corporation by steering more commercial policies into the private market. SB 1028, effective immediately, bars Citizens from issuing new commercial residential and nonresidential coverage when an approved surplus lines insurer offers comparable coverage at no more than 15% above Citizens’ cost. The law also requires Citizens to set up separate commercial clearinghouses by January. Supporters say it reduces taxpayers’ exposure to major storm losses by returning Citizens to its role as the insurer of last resort; opponents warn that it pushes policyholders into the less-regulated surplus lines market. The Senate approved it 33-1 and the House 88-19.

“Public schools must excuse students for religious instruction, James Uthmeier says” via Lauren Costantino of the Miami Herald — Uthmeier last week issued a legal opinion affirming that all School Districts must accommodate parents who want their children to leave or be absent from school for the purpose of receiving religious instruction. Release time for religious instruction, also known as RTRI, allows students to be excused from school to attend religious instruction or “devotional exercises” off school property. Uthmeier said, in short, that his answer is yes. According to Uthmeier’s opinion, certain School Boards in Florida were issuing “blanket denials” of RTRI programs or imposing other restrictions. The rule changes will take effect on June 17. “Crucially, RTRI enables parents to honor their sacred duties to raise their children in the faith. The LORD — author of our natural rights and duties — requires nothing less,” the Attorney General wrote.

“Uthmeier vows investigation into MLB for alleged religious discrimination over Bible verses on pride night caps” via Frank Kopylov of Florida’s Voice — Uthmeier said his office will investigate Major League Baseball for possible religious discrimination after the league warned three San Francisco Giants pitchers for wearing Bible verses on their caps during the team’s Pride Night. Uthmeier responded directly to MLB on X, attaching a Sports Illustrated report. “Do you practice religious discrimination in Florida, @MLB? You’ll be hearing from my office soon,” Uthmeier wrote.

— D.C. MATTERS —

“Donald Trump feuds with John Thune and GOP, stoking election-year rift” via Carl Hulse of The New York Times — Trump may be trying to wind down his conflict with Iran, but he is escalating his war with Senate Republicans. Trump blindsided his supposed allies in the Senate on Wednesday with a rocket of a social-media post from across the Atlantic, tying together a host of his pet peeves about the Senate while yanking his new nominee for national intelligence director from his confirmation hearing just hours before it was to occur. It was an extraordinary move from a President whose own party controls the chamber, but just the latest sign of a major rupture between Trump and GOP Senators as the Midterm Elections approach. Trump’s abrupt announcement pulled the rug out from under the carefully laid plans of Sen. Thune, the South Dakota Republican and majority leader, who had been toiling to clean up yet another mess the President created for his party last week when he named his loyalist Bill Pulte to serve as the director of national intelligence.

“Rupert Murdoch praises Marco Rubio over JD Vance” via Mike Allen of Axios — A revealing scene from the forthcoming book “Regime Change” shows Trump doing what he often does: stirring speculation about the 2028 Republican nomination. During a private White House dinner in October 2025, Trump asked media mogul Rupert Murdoch to compare Vice President JD Vance and Secretary Rubio while both men sat at the table. Murdoch offered restrained praise for Vance, saying he had “the potential to be great.” When Trump asked about Rubio, the response came immediately: “Marco is brilliant.” According to Regime Change, the exchange became a subject of conversation among guests for weeks afterward. It underscored that, despite Vance’s position as Vice President, Rubio continues to enjoy strong support among influential conservative power brokers.

“Moody, Rick Scott guide nearly $1B to Florida military installations” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — U.S. Sens. Moody and Scott have landed nearly $1 billion in federal funding that will be distributed to several military installations in Florida. They both announced that funding will be provided through the Senate National Defense Authorization Act, which was approved this year. The money directed to Florida amounts to $935 million. The funding is part of a spending package to support military personnel, installations and defense industrial bases in Florida. Moody said the funding is earmarked for projects throughout the Sunshine State. “Supporting our armed forces is not just my job — as a mom in a military family, it is personal to me. These wins are not just allocated dollars; they are a down payment on the future of our military in Florida, aimed at strengthening the state’s installations and defense industrial base,” Moody said.

— LOCAL: S. FL —

“Five seats are up for grabs in the Broward School Board election” via Scott Travis of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — Two north county School Board members, Lori Alhadeff of District 4 and Nora Rupert of District 7, are not seeking re-election, and two candidates have qualified for each seat to try to replace them. At-large member Allen Zeman and District 1 member Maura McCarthy Bulman each face one opponent, while District 6 incumbent Adam Cervera is competing with four opponents. School Board elections will be held Aug. 18, with a runoff, if needed, planned for Nov. 3 in the District 6 race. The School Board has nine members, with five up in 2026 and four up in 2028.

Public safety spending becomes focus of property tax debate in Palm Beach County” via Matt Sczesny of WPTV — The fight over Florida’s proposed property tax overhaul is colliding with a basic budget reality in Palm Beach County: public safety consumes most of the money. County Administrator Joe Abruzzo pushed back on Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia’s claim that the county is overspending by $443 million, arguing that nearly all new revenue is already being absorbed by law enforcement and fire rescue costs. Abruzzo said the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office alone is seeking a $94 million budget increase, which would exceed roughly $73 million in additional revenue generated by new development this year. Ingoglia, who is promoting a ballot measure to dramatically expand the homestead exemption, argues local governments must curb spending. The debate highlights a larger question facing tax reform advocates: how counties will fund growing public safety demands if property tax revenues shrink.

Marty Kiar endorses Patrick Ferguson for Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Town Commission — Broward County Property Appraiser Kiar is backing Ferguson in his bid for the Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Town Commission, praising the candidate’s focus on community service, environmental protection and resident-first leadership. “Patrick Ferguson is exactly the kind of leader Lauderdale-by-the-Sea needs,” Kiar said. “He cares deeply about his community, understands the importance of protecting our environment and quality of life, and has shown a real willingness to stand up for residents.” Ferguson, an attorney and Senior Organizer with the Sierra Club Florida Chapter, has built his campaign around protecting the town’s character, promoting transparent government and keeping local decisions focused on residents rather than partisan politics. He recently organized the “No Politics in Paradise” effort opposing a push to name a local roadway after Donald Trump. “I’m honored to have Marty Kiar’s support,” Ferguson said.

Happening today — The Miami Beach Democratic Club, Greater Aventura Democratic Club, Miami-Dade Democratic Party and Miami-Dade Young Democrats host their third annual Primary Election Forum, giving Democratic candidates a platform to pitch voters on climate resilience, housing affordability and civic equity before the first ballot is cast. The forum will be moderated by Spanish-language television host Alfonso “Poncho” de Anda. Confirmed candidates include U.S. Senate candidate Angie Nixon, CD 25 candidate Oliver Larkin, gubernatorial candidate Dayna Foster and HD 106 candidates Báez-Geller and Ashley Litwin Diego. Doors open for a social at 6 p.m., with the forum running from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Marseille Beachfront Hotel, 1741 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. The event is open to the press; RSVP here.

“Move to put Related Ross exec on West Palm Board prompts outcry” via Andrew Marra of The Palm Beach Post — West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James wants to install a second executive with ties to the city’s largest developer on the Board of a city agency, a move that is drawing opposition from a downtown neighborhood group. The West Palm Beach Downtown Neighborhood Association, which represents the city’s thousands of downtown residents, wrote a letter protesting the move to add a second employee with connections to Related Ross to the Downtown Development Authority Board. Association President Sitima Fowler wrote that placing Related Ross Executive Vice President Jordan Rathlev on the DDA’s Board would leave just one downtown resident on the seven-member Board.

— LOCAL: C. FL —

“Blaise Ingoglia pounds Osceola County, says spending outpaces inflation and population growth” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — Ingoglia is turning his criticism of municipal “overspending and waste” toward Osceola County, the latest to fall under his judgment. Ingoglia said Osceola’s general fund budget has ballooned by more than $380 million since sitting at $372 million six years ago. “The budget more than doubled in the last six years,” he said, “by far stripping away past inflation and population growth.” He noted inflation rose 25.5% over five years while the population grew 32.9%, leaving no excuse for the 102.35% budget increase. He estimated $165.4 million in waste over the past year. “I’m not here on the side of government. I’m here on the side of taxpayers.”

“Oviedo Council sends 4-year term proposal back to voters” via Sara-James Ranta of the Orlando Sentinel — The Oviedo City Council agreed this week to let voters decide in November whether to extend Council terms from two years to four and align city races with even-year presidential and gubernatorial elections. The goal would be to improve voter turnout as odd-year city elections draw limited interest and to reduce costs as the city foots the bill for those races while the county covers even-year ones at no extra cost to Oviedo. But the ballot referendum will ask Oviedo residents to reconsider a charter amendment they rejected by a 57% margin five years ago. If voters approve the measure on Nov. 3, some Council members would serve a three-year transition term before the four-year cycles begin in 2028. Mayor Megan Sladek said she thought it was right to let voters decide again on the Committee’s proposal. Council member Alan Ott, the lone dissenter in the 4 to 1 vote, said two-year terms keep Council members directly accountable to residents.

“No more digging up the new road: Inside EPIC, the Florida firm bringing AI to public works” via Peter Schorsch of FloridAI — Artificial intelligence is often sold as a tool for writing emails, analyzing spreadsheets or searching documents, but some of its most valuable applications are far less glamorous. EPIC Engineering & Consulting Group is using AI and data integration to help local governments solve infrastructure problems before they become expensive headaches. Its Simplify i3 platform combines scattered records, work orders, inspections and GIS data into a single system that identifies trends, predicts failures and improves coordination between agencies. Instead of repaving a road only to tear it up months later for utility work, governments can see conflicts before they happen. The goal is simple: move from reactive government to proactive government, reducing waste, accelerating response times and improving services without eliminating the workers who ultimately deliver them.

— LOCAL: TB —

“Hillsborough warned property tax reform could blow $343M hole in county funds” via Jesse Mendoza of Florida Politics — Hillsborough County officials are warning that Florida’s latest push for property tax relief could leave local leaders choosing between cutting services, raising other revenues or finding new ways to pay for public safety. Hillsborough County could face a $213 million hit to its countywide general fund and another $130 million squeeze in its unincorporated area fund if voters approve a proposed property tax overhaul in November. Financial staff warned County Commissioners that the proposal, now headed for the November 2026 ballot, could reshape Hillsborough’s budget and force difficult choices over public safety, libraries, reserves, service cuts, fees and possible alternative taxes. Budget Director Tom Fesler told Commissioners the county should expect large impacts from a major expansion of Florida’s homestead exemption.

“Hillsborough Commissioners put Tampa Sports Authority on hot seat, tee up possible complaint to DeSantis” via Jesse Mendoza of Florida Politics — Hillsborough County Commissioners are not done with the Tampa Sports Authority just yet, voting unanimously to escalate potential ethics concerns to DeSantis and other officials. The vote directs County Attorney Julia Mandell to gather records on Sports Authority Board members and draft letters flagging possible conflicts of interest, financial disclosure gaps and governance concerns. The flare-up follows an 11-page letter from a citizen — later identified as a lobbyist — alleging conflicts involving four TSA members related to the Tampa Bay Rays stadium deal. Chair Ken Hagan said he doesn’t believe members acted improperly: “I’m quite sure the TSA is already on his radar.” Commissioner Christine Miller framed the move as an oversight step, not an accusation.

“First Amendment expert: TSA has stronger argument in Ye dispute” via Aaron Styza of the St. Pete Catalyst — According to Clay Calvert, a non-resident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and former Professor Emeritus at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, the law largely favors the Sports Authority’s position. At the center of the dispute is a legal concept known as viewpoint discrimination, a doctrine that generally prevents government entities from allowing some viewpoints while excluding others. That same principle, he argues, applies to Ye performing at Raymond James Stadium. The TSA can condemn Ye’s remarks, Calvert said, while still being legally obligated to allow the concerts to proceed. “The stronger argument is with the Tampa Sports Authority,” said Calvert. “Once a government creates a forum for expressive events, then a fundamental principle under the First Amendment is (that) the government cannot intervene.”

“Josh Wostal calls for 7-OH ban in Hillsborough as state kratom rule nears expiration” via Jesse Mendoza of Florida Politics — Hillsborough County Commissioners voted unanimously to explore tightening the county’s synthetic drug ordinance to target 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH. This potent kratom extract binds to opioid receptors. Commissioner Wostal, who brought the item forward, stressed it’s not aimed at natural kratom leaf, kava bars or coffee shops: “I’m not looking to blindside any of the industries.” He wants the county ready in case a statewide emergency rule expires June 30, citing FDA Commissioner Marty Makary’s warning that 7-OH can be “up to 13 times more powerful” than morphine. Attorney General Uthmeier classified concentrated 7-OH as Schedule I last year and has signaled he’ll renew the rule — but Wostal said Hillsborough “should not wait for the state to act.”

“USF trustees unanimously elect Mike Griffin as new Chair” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics — The University of South Florida Board of Trustees has unanimously elected Griffin as its Chair. The vote installs Griffin for a full two-year term after he assumed the post in April following the resignation as Chair of Will Weatherford. The selection is a homecoming of sorts for Griffin, who, as a student at USF, served two terms as USF student body president and was a student representative on the first USF Board of Trustees in 2001. Griffin has served as a Trustee since 2021. “I don’t know anyone who loves this university more than Mike Griffin. He bleeds green and gold. Just an incredible person, a leader and a driving force for good at the university. I can’t think of anybody who could do a better job than Mike Griffin as Chairman,” Weatherford said.

“Related Group breaks ground on Manor Riverwalk District in Tampa” via Pedro Malkomes of the Tampa Bay Times — Related Group broke ground on the Manor Riverwalk District, marking the first step in a three-phase plan to reshape downtown Tampa’s Hillsborough River into a waterfront destination with luxury residences and entertainment. Phase one will bring a 24-story apartment building with 369 residences to 101 S. Parker Street on the river’s west bank. The building will have nearly 3,000 square feet dedicated to fitness and recovery, including an infrared sauna and cold plunge, and an almost half-acre elevated amenity deck. The deck will feature a glass-edged jacuzzi, pickleball court, shaded cabanas, an outdoor theater and bar and grilling areas, among other amenities.

“John Muhammad’s silence speaks loudly in bruising St. Pete Mayor’s race” via Jesse Mendoza of Florida Politics — Brother Muhammad, a former City Council member and influential South St. Petersburg organizer, has announced that he will not endorse a candidate in this year’s mayoral race. That means he is withholding support from both incumbent Ken Welch and former Gov. Charlie Crist, as well as City Council member Brandi Gabbard, as the three Democrats and other candidates battle it out in a nonpartisan contest. “After careful consideration — and after a few requests for my endorsement — I’ve decided not to publicly endorse candidates this election cycle. Be clear: I will vote. Also true: There are candidates I know, respect, and believe would serve our community well. My decision isn’t about them. It’s about me choosing not to turn my personal voting decisions into public debates or social-media back-and-forths,” Muhammad wrote.

“Clearwater appraises Duke Energy property as it investigates ditching the utility” via Emily L. Mahoney and Colbi Edmonds of the Tampa Bay Times — The city of Clearwater has completed another big step in deciding whether to separate from Duke Energy by finishing an appraisal of all Duke property the city would need to acquire. The estimated value of Duke’s Clearwater assets is about $265 million. Officials are aiming to discuss the findings in July. The city is mulling its options as its longtime legal agreement with Duke comes up for renewal and residents have felt the pain of spiking power bills. A previous report commissioned by the city found that if Clearwater left Duke and formed a city-run utility, residents could save millions.

“Facing backlash, John Koulianos doubles down on proclamation honoring gay couple” via Michelle Stark of the Tampa Bay Times — Religious activists from outside Tarpon Springs turned out at the June 9 City Commission meeting to denounce Mayor Koulianos for signing a proclamation that congratulated a hometown native on his marriage to another man. The objectors were drawn to the meeting after a Tarpon Springs resident circulated a copy of the proclamation and sent it to the city clerk, objecting to Koulianos attending the wedding and giving the document to a longtime friend whose family has deep roots in the city. The Mayor was unbowed. He defended the gesture, said he would do it again and announced that the Commission would read an LGBTQ+ proclamation at its next meeting. “Next week, they’d better brace themselves, because we’re reading the LGBTQ proclamation,” Koulianos said during Commission comments. “So that’s coming, and I’m not shying away from any of that.”

— LOCAL: SW. FL —

“Jeffrey Epstein files include nearly 100 phone calls linked to Naples” via Dave Osborn of the Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News — A 99-page file of documents lists 92 calls in 2005 between Jan. 4 and March 16. In multiple AT&T detail logs included in the records, Naples appears as a destination city in entries in those three months. Documents in the Epstein files showed a dozen checks from Jege Inc. in the Virgin Islands, to Christopher Higgins of Fort Myers, and one to his business. Higgins collected about $23,000 in checks from Jege Inc. from 2012 to 2014. The information in the Epstein files did not say what, if any, work Higgins did.

— LOCAL: N. FL —

“2nd Judicial Circuit hopefuls face off in live candidate forum” via the Tallahassee Democrat — Circuit Judge Jason Jones and challenger Stephanie Cager went face to face Wednesday in the first of a series of livestreamed candidate forums brought to you by the Tallahassee Democrat, the Capital Region News Collaborative and the League of Women Voters. The two are vying for the seat on the Group 7 2nd Judicial Circuit. Jones, a former general counsel for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, was appointed county judge by DeSantis in 2020. In 2022, he defeated Mario Theodore to win the election to the post. In 2025, DeSantis appointed him to the circuit bench. Cager is senior vice president of legal affairs for the Children’s Home Society of Florida and formerly served as deputy general counsel for the Florida Department of Health.

“From TMH to cost-cutting, Commission Seat 5 hopefuls debate at candidate forum” via Elena Barrera of the Tallahassee Democrat — Tallahassee City Commission Seat 5 candidates Dianne Williams-Cox, Dot Inman-Johnson and Tifany Hill sparred over taxes, government spending, leadership and major public asset sales during a candidate forum hosted by the Tallahassee Democrat, the Capital Region News Collaborative and the League of Women Voters. The candidates agreed that public safety should remain a priority if voters approve a property tax overhaul projected to cost the city $29 million over two years but diverged on how to respond. Williams-Cox defended the city’s planning efforts and supported the current Commission selecting a new City Manager, while Inman-Johnson and Hill said a newly elected Commission should make that choice. The trio also split sharply on the sale of Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare and the Capital City Country Club, with Williams-Cox praising both decisions and her opponents criticizing the process and transparency behind them.

“Alachua County School Board halts Citizens Field purchase” via Chelsea Long of The Gainesville Sun — The Alachua County School Board voted on June 16 to reject a proposed contract with the city of Gainesville for the purchase of Citizens Field, ending more than 18 months of negotiations and leaving the District without a clear path forward on long-term stadium facilities for its high school athletics programs. Citizens Field Stadium, which is currently owned by the city, has been used by three large District high schools, Gainesville, Eastside and Buchholz, for decades. After voting down the contract and a follow-up motion to approve it while renegotiating its terms, the Board voted 4-1, with Board member Tina Certain dissenting, to have District staff present alternative options, along with concepts and cost estimates, to the Board at a future meeting.

“FAMU taps veteran lawyer, state official to lead law school” via Jim Rosica of USA TODAY Network – Florida — Florida A&M University is turning to Simone Marstiller to lead its Orlando-based College of Law as the school works to steady itself after years of leadership turnover, weak bar passage rates and concerns about academic support. Marstiller, a former 1st District Court of Appeal judge and top state regulator, starts July 1 after serving in senior roles under Govs. DeSantis and Jeb Bush, including leading the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. FAMU President Marva Johnson said Marstiller “has led complex agencies, shaped policy, and served the people of Florida at the highest levels.” Marstiller said she is ready to guide the law school into its next era of “growth, innovation, and impact.”

“Another Escambia County Board lawsuit against Clerk Pam Childers?” via Mollye Barrows of the Pensacola News Journal — Escambia’s Board of County Commissioners is set to discuss the possibility of joining a lawsuit filed by two local nonprofits against Escambia County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Pam Childers challenging her authority to block the Board’s discretionary spending of taxpayer dollars, but it’s unclear which side the county would be on if it joins. The attorney for the two nonprofit organizations, Alex Andrade, is suing Childers for withholding $7,000 in county discretionary funds. He wants to amend his lawsuit to include Escambia County as a defendant to “avoid delaying resolution” of the litigation. However, Childers is pushing back on the request to add County Commissioners to the suit because it “burdens the county with additional costs.”

— “Field set for 3 St. Johns County School Board races” via Fabrizio Gowdy of Florida Politics

— TOP OPINION —

“One label, one standard” via Doug Wheeler for Florida Politics — If a product sold in the grocery store must carry a label telling consumers exactly what is inside, then food sold in restaurants should meet the same standard. The distinction makes little sense to consumers trying to make informed choices about what they eat and how those foods affect their health.

People increasingly want transparency about ingredients, additives and nutritional content. Yet the information available in a supermarket aisle often disappears once the same consumer sits down at a restaurant table, despite growing public demand for consistency.

The issue is not about restricting choices or dictating menus. It is about providing information. Consumers can decide for themselves what to order, but they should have access to the same facts regardless of where they purchase food.

A single labeling standard would create a level playing field for businesses while giving families clearer information about what they are consuming. Consistency benefits both consumers and responsible operators who already prioritize transparency.

The current system leaves too much room for confusion. When identical ingredients require disclosure in one setting but not another, the result is an uneven approach that undermines informed decision-making.

One label and one standard is a simple principle. Consumers deserve transparency wherever food is sold, and the rules should reflect that expectation.

— MORE OPINIONS —

“America’s loss to Iran will unravel geopolitics” via Andreas Kluth of Bloomberg — Trump is a man of his word: In March, the American President promised that “There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!… IRAN WILL HAVE A GREAT FUTURE.” He didn’t clarify that it would be the United States that would surrender. Surrender is what the “deal” between the U.S. and Iran to be signed this week amounts to, if early reporting of its 14 points comes even close to capturing its gist. For the Middle East, that means additional months if not years (but definitely more than the 60 days stipulated in the document) of “phony war,” with little to nothing definitively resolved, from the Strait of Hormuz to Iran’s uranium. For the world as a whole, the ramifications of this stalemate will be just as large.

“Trump in defeat” via Jonathan Lemire of The Atlantic — Trump went to war with Iran, promising strength, leverage and victory. He is now preparing to accept a cease-fire that leaves the United States weaker militarily, strategically, economically and morally. The conflict did not achieve the goals Trump set at the outset. Instead, it strengthened hard-liners in Tehran, exposed the limits of Trump’s threats and left him eager to end the fighting on almost any terms before the economic and political costs deepened. Trump is spinning the tentative agreement as a triumph, but the deal has already drawn unflattering comparisons to Barack Obama’s Iran framework and criticism from hawks inside his own party. The larger truth is harder to obscure: Trump started the war triumphant and is likely to leave it diminished.

“Trump does not understand the war he lost” via Tom Nichols of The Atlantic — Trump arrived at the G7 determined to sell a cease-fire with Iran as a victory, but his own words underscored how completely the conflict has unraveled. A President who once promised regime change now insists he “never cared about regime change.” Leaders in Tehran, once described as dangerous extremists, are suddenly “very rational people” who were “nice to deal with.” Highly enriched uranium that justified military action is now dismissed as “not very valuable stuff.” Trump appears willing to leave Iran with both its regime and potentially its nuclear stockpile while demanding that Israel curb its military operations. The contradictions pile up because the underlying reality remains unchanged: the war failed to achieve its objectives, and Trump is struggling to reconcile that outcome with the promises he made before it began.

“The selective pursuit of government critics in the Free State of Florida” via Michelle DeMarco of Florida Trident — DeSantis is preparing to use the state’s new domestic terrorism law to pursue organizations he says threaten public safety, including “antifa,” a loosely defined anti-fascist movement not specifically named in HB 1471. The law gives state officials broad authority to designate organizations as domestic terrorist groups, opening them to sanctions, dissolution and criminal penalties for supporters. Critics warn the measure could chill free speech, suppress dissent and concentrate extraordinary power in the executive branch. “Expect us to be very zealous and robust in how we approach dealing with these groups,” DeSantis said when signing the bill. Opponents argue the law’s vague standards and secretive designation process create a pathway for political targeting, while supporters maintain it addresses conduct, not beliefs.

“We don’t always agree with Florida’s Attorney General. On this issue, he’s right” via the Miami Herald editorial board — Uthmeier this week pushed back — hard and publicly — on Fishback’s use of the word “slave” to describe Donalds. It was a welcome and much-needed rebuke of racism within the GOP: Fishback had already called Donalds, a Black candidate for Florida Governor, “By’rone” and a “DEI Republican.” The GOP has been trying hard to ignore Fishback’s continuing comments. But Uthmeier, at least, called it out. “I think somebody (who’s) going to call a Black candidate a slave clearly has some intentionality there. I think it’s gross.” Good to hear. Uthmeier avoided saying the R-word, but “gross” is a start.

“Parents, not government, direct the education and religious upbringing of their children” via Jeremy Dys for Florida Politics — Parents, not government, hold the first responsibility for shaping their children’s education and religious formation. Uthmeier’s opinion on release time religious instruction gets that principle exactly right: when parents choose off-campus religious instruction during the school day, public schools must accommodate that decision rather than obstruct it. The Supreme Court has long recognized that “the child is not the mere creature of the State,” and that schools exist to support families, not supplant them. Religious belief is not an extracurricular preference; for many families, it is the moral framework of life. Florida School Districts should stop erecting barriers and remember who decides these questions. In America, the answer is parents.

— INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY —

— WORLD CUP —

“A bigger World Cup is a better World Cup” via Nate Silver of Silver Bulletin — The expanded 48-team World Cup has been better than advertised, with goals flowing, stars delivering and minnows such as Cape Verde giving their fans moments they will never forget. But the format is awkward: with 32 of 48 teams advancing, the group stage feels too much like an exhibition, and the third-place qualification maze creates needless asymmetry. The obvious fix may be the supposedly unthinkable one: go to 64 teams. A 64-team field would restore clean four-team groups, send only the top two forward and avoid the current backdoor bracket gymnastics. Yes, everyone would complain. Then the tournament would be fun, FIFA would sell it as a centennial gimmick, and 64 would become the new normal.

“In the World Cup’s missing country, failure sparks bitter political battle” via Gregorio Sorgi of POLITICO — Italy’s football crisis is turning into a test of Giorgia Meloni’s reach. Failure to qualify for the FIFA men’s World Cup for the third consecutive time triggered a major political and public outcry in the football-obsessed country that has now morphed into a bitter fight over who controls the sport. Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party leaped to propose curtailing the power of the country’s football association — the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC) — after its president, the 72-year-old Gabriele Gravina, resigned in April under heavy pressure following a World Cup playoff defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina.

“World Cup travel is up for all U.S. host cities except for one” via Anna Edgerton, Augusta Saraiva, and Aashna Shah of Bloomberg — As the FIFA World Cup gets underway in North America for the first time in more than three decades, only one U.S. host city is seeing fewer travelers flying in: Seattle. With excitement growing about the prospects for the home team ahead of the U.S. vs. Australia match on June 19 in Seattle, the Emerald City is decked out for the tournament, with one watch party on a floating barge, drones illuminating match scores in the sky and the soccer stadium downtown drawing thousands of revelers. But online flight bookings for Seattle for the dates of the tournament are down from the same period last year — 21% lower, compared with increases of about 7% for New York and 11% for Houston. Fewer visitors flying in — especially international tourists — risks a disappointing economic impact for a city that was hoping to show off its post-pandemic revival. Seattle also has among the least expensive resale tickets — fans can see Bosnia vs. Qatar for roughly $394. That’s 44% below the cheapest ticket in Miami — for Cabo Verde vs. Uruguay.

“The feel-good story of the World Cup is too good to be true” via Will Oremus of The Atlantic — Freddy from Germany is the standard-bearer of an emergent social-media genre: A World Cup visitor from overseas encounters American culture and excess—and loves it. The Spanish soccer wunderkind Lamine Yamal loaded up a grocery cart at a Walmart in Georgia. “Why did no one tell me ranch sauce is like crack?” a Swedish fan posted on X from an Indiana diner. “EUROPE, WE NEED RANCH ASAP.” A Japanese man raved about Texas Roadhouse steak. Freddy’s Buc-ee’s post showed customers flowing into the cavernous convenience store, its cartoon beaver logo a towering beacon illuminating the night sky. In another photo, a row of pumps stretched like a horizon across both sides of the frame. Freddy was overawed: “DUDE LMAO THIS IS A GAS STATION😭😭😭,” he wrote.

“DR Congo frustrate Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in 2026 World Cup draw” via Luke Brown of The Athletic — Portugal were frustrated in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup as they were held to a 1-1 draw by a hugely impressive DR Congo. Portugal, one of the pre-tournament favorites, raced into an early lead when Joao Neves headed home inside six minutes and looked to be on course for a comfortable win. But DR Congo fought their way back into the game and leveled seconds before half-time, when Yoane Wissa rose highest at a corner to score his nation’s first World Cup goal. Cristiano Ronaldo cut a peripheral figure throughout as he featured at his sixth World Cup.

“Miami-Dade might be off the hook for half of planned $46M subsidy for World Cup” via Douglas Hanks of the Miami Herald — Now, federal grant dollars are expected to cover most Sheriff’s Office expenses related to the World Cup, and the Sheriff’s Office says it plans to ask the county for only a fraction of the original budget for the matches. Argemis “AC” Colome, a spokesperson for the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, said that about $3 million of the agency’s expenses aren’t eligible for the $28 million in federal security grants secured by the local Host Committee. So far, event organizers say federal dollars won’t be covering the $21 million in cash Miami-Dade has already paid to the Host Committee.

— USA 250 —

“Why July 4 turned into a Trump rally” via Jonathan Chait of The Atlantic — The President announced that, in place of performances by Martina McBride, Young MC, the surviving members of the Commodores, one member of Poison, and other sought-after musicians who had dropped out after being recruited on apparently false pretenses, he would personally provide the entertainment for a 250th-anniversary celebration of American independence. This week, he announced another rally, to take place on July 4. “We are going to host the most spectacular TRUMP RALLY of them all, a ‘TRIBUTE TO AMERICA.’” The shambolic decision to turn the quarter-millennium anniversary of the Declaration of Independence into yet another rally is, perhaps, an inevitable outgrowth of Trump’s megalomania, which renders him unable to keep the functions of party leader and head of state separate.

“St. Pete relaunches ‘St. Pete Votes!’ as part of its America250 celebration” via Jesse Mendoza of Florida Politics — St. Petersburg is reviving its “St. Pete Votes!” campaign, folding voter participation into the city’s America250 celebration ahead of a consequential election year. The city is reviving the initiative, first launched in 2024, to encourage voter registration and turnout ahead of the 2026 Elections. The renewed St. Pete Votes campaign, announced Wednesday, adds a voter education component to that observance. The city indicated the voter education campaign will focus on helping residents understand recent changes to Florida voting laws, particularly those affecting vote-by-mail ballot requests, voter ID requirements and election deadlines. “2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States, a solemn reminder of how far our nation has come and how many people throughout history have fought, struggled, and sacrificed to secure and protect our right to vote,” Mayor Ken Welch said.

— ALOE —

“Simpler, older version of Stonehenge found three miles from famous site” via Alison Francis and Rebecca Morelle of BBC News — Archaeologists believe they have uncovered a 5,000-year-old predecessor to Stonehenge just three miles from the iconic monument, offering a rare glimpse into the origins of one of history’s most famous ceremonial landscapes. The newly analyzed site near Bulford consists of two wooden posts, long since rotted away, that aligned precisely with the Summer solstice sunrise and Winter solstice sunset — the same celestial events later marked by Stonehenge’s massive stones. Researchers found pottery, flint tools, carved animal bones and a rare discoidal knife, suggesting the area hosted gatherings and rituals. Archaeologist Phil Harding called the discovery one of the highlights of his career, while researchers say the site may have been used by the same communities that built the earliest phase of Stonehenge centuries later.

— HAPPY BIRTHDAY —

Happy birthday to Reps. Samantha Scott and Allison Tant, as well as Wendy Bitner Rodin. It’s also former Rep. Joe Harding‘s birthday.

___

Sunburn is authored and assembled by Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Daniel Dean, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, and Drew Wilson.