Play ball! — Tonight is Game 1 of the ALCS between the Boston Red Sox and our own Tampa Bay Rays. With that, Sunburn will be taking off tomorrow, so we can root, root, root for the home team. Don't worry, the morning read of what's HOT in Florida politics will return to inboxes Monday morning. Thanks for your support and stay safe this weekend!

#RaysUp!

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Last Call — A prime-time read of what's going down in Florida politics.

First Shot

Florida TaxWatch says lawmakers are right to consider bills regulating how personal data is shared or sold online, but the current proposals could end up costing Florida businesses billions of dollars.

The watchdog group released a report Thursday titled "Who Knows What? An Independent Analysis of the Potential Effects of Consumer Data Privacy Legislation in Florida." The study examines experience data from existing consumer data privacy laws in other states to estimate similar laws' impacts on Florida businesses.

"Privacy is so important to Floridians that it is a notion enshrined in our Constitution. Florida TaxWatch applauds legislative leaders for raising this issue because we agree with the nearly 80% of U.S. adults concerned about how their personal information is being used — we should find a proper way to protect personal data and information," Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro said.

"But, as the trusted eyes and ears of Florida taxpayers, we have a responsibility to make sure leaders and decision-makers understand the costs and impact their plans have on Florida's businesses."

To date, California, Virginia and Colorado are the only states that have enacted comprehensive consumer data privacy legislation.

California businesses, for instance, are expected to face a $55 billion burden upfront to comply with California Consumer Privacy Act and California Privacy Rights Act. Keeping current could cost between $467 million to $16 billion over the next decade, with small firms facing a disproportionate share of the cost.

FTW's analysis found that legislation considered by Florida last year would have cost businesses between $6.2 billion and $21 billion in year one and between $4.6 billion to $12.7 billion after that each year going forward.

"Moreover, if a bill passes with a private right of action provision, experience data suggests we can expect over 80 class-action lawsuits within the first year and a half, with an estimated $4.2 billion in litigation expenses and costs," Calabro said.

"Strengthening personal privacy protections for consumers is critical, and we're hopeful our analysis will inform these important conversations and debates during the upcoming Legislative Session."

Evening Reads

"Nikki Fried releases school mask information she says Gov. Ron DeSantis hasn't made public that shows mandates work" via Cindy Krischer Goodman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

"Timing is everything for Merck's COVID-19 pill" via Katherine J. Wu of The Atlantic

"Florida submits plan for final $2.3 billion in school relief, last state to request U.S. COVID-19 funds" via Brendan Farrington of The Associated Press

"Broward elected officials turn out for Charlie Crist, argue he's Democrats' best hope against Gov.  DeSantis" via Anthony Man of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

"Bad history or bad math? Joseph Ladapo tweet off the mark" via Christine Jordan Sexton of Florida Politics

"The debt ceiling is dangerous. Here's why it probably isn't going anywhere." via Geoffrey Skelley of FiveThirtyEight

"A giant snail that can eat your plants and house eradicated in Florida. Again." via Adriana Brasileiro of the Miami Herald

"Florida Dems unveil sweeping energy plan to tackle climate change, but will GOP support it?" via Laura Cassels of the Florida Phoenix

"Ghost towns: Nursing home staffing falls amid pandemic" via Matt Sedensky of The Associated Press

"The trillion-dollar coin scheme, explained by the guy who invented it" via Dylan Matthews of Vox

"The decision blocking Texas' abortion ban is a meticulous rebuke to the Supreme Court" via Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern of Slate

Quote of the Day

"Ron DeSantis is lying to you about masks in schools … In every single case, kids were better off in school districts that required masks than school districts that did not." — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, releasing a report on COVID-19 cases in Florida schools.

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