Good Tuesday morning.
Andy Gonzalez is the new Vice President of Public Policy for Florida Realtors, the statewide organization announced Monday.
Gonzalez has worked as a public policy representative at Florida Realtors for the past five years, representing member interests in the legislative and executive branches. He also assisted in overseeing strategy, financial management, candidate selection, and campaign activities for the Florida Realtors Political Action Committee.
Congratulations: Andy Gonzalez becomes the latest solid hire for Florida Realtors.
In his new position, Gonzalez will oversee the government affairs efforts of the association. In addition to managing the public policy office, he will also manage Florida Realtors' legislative initiatives and coordinate member involvement in all public policy-related matters.
"Andy is not only an exceptional leader, he's also a phenomenal person. We knew we had something special with him right from the start, and it's been incredible to watch him put his talents to work on behalf of our members," Florida Realtors CEO Margy Grant said. "Elevating him into the vice president role was an easy decision, and we are beyond excited to see what he can accomplish in the years ahead."
Before working at Florida Realtors, Gonzalez was the Florida Chamber of Commerce's Director of Political Development and the League of Southeastern Credit Unions' legislative and political affairs manager.
— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —
—@WHCOS: An interesting observation, just FYI. President (Emmanuel) Macron appears to have secured a double-digit victory over (Marine) LePen, at a time when his approval rating is 36%. Hmmm ...
—@JackShafer: Never text.
—@Fineout: Just a reminder: Many reporters across the country who do not work in DC will be working long and hard this week to try to bring accountability & transparency to many things affecting the lives of Americans. There aren't 4 days of parties on their schedules
—@ElonMusk: I hope that even my worst critics remain on Twitter, because that is what free speech means
—@TristanSnell: If Elon Musk really cares about freedom, he should spend his $46 billion helping Ukraine defeat (Vladimir) Putin and Russia, rather than buying Twitter.
—@NoLiesBTC: Elon Musk told the United Nations he would give them $6 billion to end world hunger if they showed him a detailed plan of how they would use the money. They called his bluff and gave him their plan — and then they never got the money. Now he's buying Twitter for $45 billion.
—@ShaneGoldmacher: One way to think about this: Is every new tweet being written now creating more value for the richest man on earth?
—@JimmyFailla: Elon Musk is buying Twitter and everyone freaking out drives a Tesla. There's never been a dumber time to be alive.
—@GovRonDeSantis: @elonmusk's offer to buy Twitter is a good deal for shareholders and raises the prospect that the platform will be a place where free speech can thrive, not a tool for narrative enforcement.
—@Paul_Renner: Freedom won a victory today. Thank you @elonmusk.
—@AdamBVary: Twitter can be bad now and also get much worse later. Both can be true!
—@RealJacobPerry: Gotta say that I didn't expect @elonmusk to drop $46 bil just to get Donald Trump elected in 2024.
—@Pixelatedboat: To look on the bright side, there's some incredible opportunities here for synergies with Elon's other businesses. Imagine if your followers could steer your Tesla by voting in a Twitter poll
—@KatherineMiller: Can say I would rather own a baseball or basketball team than Twitter
Tweet, tweet:
— DAYS UNTIL —
2022 Florida Chamber Transportation, Growth & Infrastructure Solution Summit — 2; 'The Godfather' TV series 'The Offer' premieres — 2; 2nd half of 'Ozark' final season begins — 3; White House Correspondents' Dinner — 4; 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' premieres — 10; Florida TaxWatch's Spring Meeting — 16; 'Obi-Wan Kenobi' starts on Disney+ — 30; 'Top Gun: Maverick' premieres — 31; 'Platinum Jubilee' for Queen Elizabeth II — 37; California, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota hold midterm Primaries — 42; 'Jurassic World Dominion' premieres — 45; Pixar's 'Lightyear' premieres — 52; 'Thor: Love and Thunder' premieres — 73; San Diego Comic-Con 2022 — 86; Michael Mann and Meg Gardiner novel 'Heat 2' publishes — 105; 'House of the Dragon' premieres on HBO — 117; 'The Lord of the Rings' premieres on Amazon Prime — 129; 2022 Emmys — 129; 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' sequel premieres — 163; Cormac McCarthy's 'The Passenger' releases — 182; Jon Meacham's 'And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle' releases — 182; 'Black Panther 2' premieres — 199; 'Captain Marvel 2' premieres — 199; 'The Flash' premieres — 205; The World Cup kicks off in Qatar — 209; The U.S. World Cup Soccer Team begins play — 209; McCarthy's 'Stella Maris' releases — 210; 'Avatar 2' premieres — 234; 2023 Legislative Session convenes — 315; 'John Wick: Chapter 4' premieres — 332; 2023 Session Sine Die — 374; 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' premieres — 402; 'Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' premieres — 458; 'Dune: Part Two' premieres — 542; 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' Part 2 premieres — 703; Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games — 822.
— TOP STORY —
"Wilton Simpson, not Chuck Nadd, nabs Ron DeSantis's backing for Agriculture Commissioner" via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — The top Republican on the state ticket announced his endorsement when he relayed his support of Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis' re-election. He has already endorsed Attorney General Ashley Moody for a second term.
DeSantis said in a statement. "I am supporting Wilton Simpson, who has helped pass major reform for election integrity, choice in education, Big Tech censorship, and law enforcement recruitment."
With a fair amount of surprise, Wilton Simpson gets the nod from Ron DeSantis.
The support for Simpson ends months of questions stemming from the Governor's reluctance to offer an endorsement to the Senate leader. During this year's regular Legislative Session, the most significant points of tension between DeSantis and the Legislature often caught Simpson in the middle. The biggest criticism came over a water bill seeking more resources north of Lake Okeechobee. DeSantis, at one point, accused the Senate of leaving his administration "in the dark" on legislation and suggested it could derail progress on a reservoir south of the lake and efforts to limit water discharges.
Additionally, DeSantis came out strong against maps produced by the Legislature. But DeSantis made it known he'd like Simpson on the ticket come November when the Governor's race and all other Cabinet posts will be on the ballot.
— 2022 —
"With Florida's congressional map in place, judge says plaintiffs need a new argument fast" via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — A judge said plaintiffs calling for a court-instated congressional map need to make a new case now that DeSantis has signed one into law. "No later than April 29, Plaintiffs and Intervenor Plaintiffs must show cause why the court should not dismiss the case as moot," wrote U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor. The order to show cause comes days after attorneys for Secretary of State Laurel Lee called for the case to be dismissed. In March, Common Cause Florida, Fair Districts Now, and five Florida citizens filed a complaint in U.S. District Court. In the original complaint, attorneys argued the Legislature and DeSantis would likely not reach an agreement over congressional cartography. At that time, DeSantis had made clear he would veto maps crafted by legislative staff and passed in the House and Senate.
Allen Winsor wants redistricting plaintiffs to get their ducks in a row — fast.
Magic 8 ball says 'No' — "Will Black voters punch back at the polls against DeSantis over redistricting map?" via Zac Anderson and Mark Harper of the Tallahassee Democrat — The Florida House of Representatives floor last week resembled a scene reminiscent of the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, with Black lawmakers staging a sit-in and singing "We Shall Overcome." The demonstration was triggered by new congressional district lines, pushed by DeSantis, which wipe away districts designed to help elect Black lawmakers. Rep. Angie Nixon, who led the protest, predicted the redistricting issue would galvanize Black voters come November. The new redistricting map could motivate the Black community to seek political revenge on Election Day against DeSantis, although Black voters historically haven't had enough political clout to swing a Governor's race.
"DeSantis mimics Donald Trump 'gold card' gimmick" via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — On Sunday, DeSantis' political operation pushed out an email to supporters with a unique invitation-only opportunity to receive a "gold card" to validate that vaunted status. "Our finance team just pulled a list of our grassroots supporters, and you are in the top 100! Because you have been in Gov. DeSantis's corner since the beginning and fighting for freedom in Florida with us, we wanted to give you a special opportunity that is only for this inner circle," the email contended. "Since you've been such a loyal supporter of our mission, you can secure an exclusive Gold DeSantis Freedom Team Membership Card now!" Of course, the Trump Political Action Committee essentially pioneered the gold card gimmick.
Ron DeSantis rips a golden page from the Donald Trump playbook.
"'We need to bring people together': Nikki Fried makes solo pitch to South Miami-Dade voters" via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Onstage in Homestead this past weekend, Fried delivered an exclusive pitch for her gubernatorial campaign to the southernmost residents of Miami-Dade County. She traversed myriad subjects during an hourlong talk with moderator Dwight Bullard, from property insurance, voter re-enfranchisement and Medicare expansion to abortion rights, Disney and the ubiquitous "Florida Man" meme. Her central message: The GOP has had more than two decades to deliver for Floridians, and it's high time for something different. Charlie Crist's campaign backed out of the event following a disagreement over the forum's format. Sen. Annette Taddeo, who with Crist and Fried is considered a front-runner in the Democratic contest, was never formally invited to participate.
Happening today — Taddeo will participate in an online town-hall meeting hosted by Florida Voices for Health, 7 p.m. Registration and Zoom link here.
"First GOP candidate files for CD 4 contest" via Wes Wolfe of Florida Politics — The newly drawn Florida's 4th Congressional District has its first official candidate, and one that was running before the district's lines received so much attention from the Legislature and DeSantis in their recent redistricting process. Navy veteran and businessman Erick Aguilar continues his effort that began with another Primary challenge to incumbent Rep. John Rutherford under the old CD 4 lines. "I retired from the Navy in 2016. I thought I was going to spend that time with my kids," Aguilar said. Aguilar ran for the GOP nomination in CD 4 two years ago but didn't find much success against Rutherford, a well-known former Jacksonville Sheriff. Aguilar claimed 19.8% of the vote in the 2020 Primary, versus Rutherford's 80.2%.
"Brian Mast launches re-election bid in the new CD 21" via Anne Geggis of Florida Politics — With the new congressional maps going into effect, Rep. Mast officially launched his re-election campaign in Florida's 21st Congressional District on Monday. Except for changing its number, the district that Mast is running in is almost exactly like the one he first won in 2016. It covers parts of northern Palm Beach County and extends into Martin and St. Lucie counties. Mast said that while the number of his district might have changed, the same struggles go on, according to a news release from his campaign. He represents Florida's 18th Congressional District under the old congressional map and seeks a fourth term.
First in Sunburn — "Paul Renner backs Danny Alvarez for HD 69" via Drew Wilson of Florida Politics — House Speaker-designate Renner on Tuesday endorsed Republican Alvarez in the race for House District 69. "Danny Alvarez is a conservative, service-oriented leader who will keep Florida moving in the right direction. A champion for the men and women in law enforcement and our nation's veterans, Danny's passion for standing up for those who stand up for us will make Florida an even stronger and safer place for every Floridian," said Renner, who will take over as House Speaker after the 2022 elections. Alvarez, a Tampa-based lawyer, launched his campaign in mid-February. He faces incumbent Democratic Rep. Andrew Learned for the redrawn House seat. A third candidate, Republican Megan Angel Petty, filed to run for the House seat at the start of March.
Danny Alvarez gets a big backup from Paul Renner. Image via Hillsborough County.
First in Sunburn — Chip LaMarca staying in Florida House — LaMarca, a Lighthouse Point Republican, was rumored as a contender to succeed the retiring Democratic U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch in Congress. But that's a no-go, according to a statement provided by LaMarca to Florida Politics. "We have decided that my place is always where I can work together to actually get things done for the people I serve — and sadly, that is not in Washington," LaMarca said. "My passion is to finish the goals that we set, four short years ago, and that is to continue to serve in the Florida House." The next two incoming House Speakers, Renner and Daniel Perez heralded LaMarca's decision to pursue a third term.
—"Andy Thomson draws HD 91 endorsement from Palm Beach police union" via Anne Geggis of Florida Politics
RNC touts 40K voter contacts during 'Operation Red' — The Republican National Committee says it contacted more than 40,000 Florida voters during the "Operation Red" outreach drive it held over the weekend. "While Florida Republicans remain committed to listening and engaging with voters, Democrats are laser-focused on impressing Hollywood elites with embarrassing theater," RNC spokeswoman Julia Friedland said. The drive was part of an RNC initiative designed to activate volunteers and build momentum for the party ahead of the 2022 election. The RNC noted its Florida Victory Team knocked on more than 23,000 doors, made more than 17,000 calls, and engaged more than 700 volunteers during "Operation Red."
— DATELINE TALLY —
GOP asks appeals court for stay in elections law case — State and national Republicans are appealing a court decision that struck down parts of the controversial elections bill passed by the state Legislature last year, Gary Fineout of POLITICO Florida reports. The bill sought to add restrictions for mail-in ballots, including tighter regulations on ballot drop boxes. Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker struck down the requirements and installed a preclearance requirement for the Legislature to alter rules regarding voter registration groups, drop boxes and other rules. Republicans have taken the ruling to the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals and asked the court to stay the injunction issued by Walker, citing the "fast approaching" 2022 elections.
"DeSantis signs bill creating election police force, hiking penalty for voter fraud" via Gray Rohrer of Florida Politics — Florida will soon have a new election sheriff in town. DeSantis on Monday signed SB 524, which contains numerous changes to state election laws, including setting up a police force dedicated to voter fraud and increasing the penalty for ballot harvesting to a third-degree felony. "We just want to make sure whatever laws are on the books, that those laws are enforced," DeSantis said shortly before signing the measure at a sports bar and restaurant in Spring Hill.
Ron DeSantis gets his election police.
"Florida Sheriffs Association honors fallen deputies at memorial wall ceremony" via Tristan Wood of Florida Politics — The Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) held a ceremony Monday to honor 30 Sheriff's officers who died in the line of duty, most of whom died in 2021. The ceremony marked the addition of the officers' names to the FSA's memorial wall, which honors the 418 Sheriff's deputies who died in the line of duty from 1844 to 2021. The deceased's family attended it, as well as local and state political officials, the Sheriffs of almost every county, and hundreds of Sheriff's officers from across the state. FSA Executive Director Steve Casey and Levy County Sheriff and FSA President Bobby McCallum oversaw the ceremony. Speaker Chris Sprowls gave a keynote speech.
— STATEWIDE —
"Florida judge's COVID-19 mask ruling sidesteps words of former Supreme Court justice" via Frank Cerabino of The Palm Beach Post — The ruling of a federal court judge in Florida to invalidate the mask requirement for commercial airline, train and bus passengers this past week reminded me of a discussion I had four years ago with then-retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens. It refers to a 1984 U.S. Supreme Court opinion written by Stevens that directed courts to defer to interpretations of laws made by the governmental regulatory agencies that are empowered to enforce them unless those interpretations are unreasonable.
A Florida judge flies in the face of former Justice John Paul Stevens. Image via AP.
"As lawmakers avert their eyes, condo insurers flee Florida or jack up prices post-Surfside" via Ben Conarck of the Miami Herald — Even before legislative proposals to reform condo safety post-Surfside died on the doorstep of the Florida House last month, a reaction was brewing in the marketplace. There has been an exodus of insurers no longer willing to underwrite policies in an increasingly risky Florida condo marketplace. The retreat by insurance companies has left the condo associations steering aging buildings up and down the Miami-area coastline and throughout the state to deal with insurers in the lesser-regulated surplus market, for customers that can't get standard policies because the potential loss is unacceptably high.
"Report: More than 500K Floridians could lose health care if PTCs expire" via Drew Wilson of Florida Politics — More than a half-million Floridians could lose their health if Congress doesn't make a tax credit included in the American Rescue Plan permanent. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Urban Institute found that about 3.1 million Americans are at risk of losing coverage if the credits are allowed to expire. About 513,000 of those people live in Florida. The American Rescue Plan boosted Premium Tax Credits (PTCs), which offset the cost of purchasing health insurance on the federal marketplace, but the expanded credit is currently set to expire at the end of this year. If not extended, Americans who earn an annual income between 150% and 400% of the federal poverty level will pay an added $1,000 a year for silver-level health insurance.
— D.C. MATTERS —
"Joe Biden hasn't lost young voters' love. He never really had it." via Molly Roberts of The Washington Post — If the youth are the future, Biden, by the latest numbers, might not have much of one. A national survey of political sentiment among 18- to 29-year-olds comes at an opportune moment, right on the heels of two other polls this month that displayed a stomach-turning drop in the commander in chief's approval rating among young voters. Whether millennials and Gen Z like the country's leader matters. They helped put him in the Oval Office in the first place by turning out at record rates to vote overwhelmingly blue. Boomers rate Biden about seven points lower today than they did at the beginning of 2020; among zoomers, he's lost about 21 points.
Young voters are just not into Joe Biden. Image via AP.
"Biden taps Bridget Brink to be U.S. ambassador to Ukraine" via María Luisa Paúl of The Washington Post — Biden plans to nominate Brink to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. The move is intended to fill a position that has remained officially vacant for three years and is now even more crucial during the Russian invasion. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on the heels of a visit to Kyiv that Brink, currently the U.S. ambassador to Slovakia, is "deeply experienced in the region" and "will be a very strong representative for the United States in Ukraine." The announcement came as Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the first high-level U.S. visit to Ukraine since Russia's invasion began. The officials said U.S. diplomatic operations would resume this week in Ukraine, in a first step toward reopening the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv.
"Rick Scott is done with Disney+, Disney World after 'parental rights' pushback" via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — Sen. Scott said he has no plans to go back to Disney World and that he's canceled his subscription to the Disney+ streaming service in the wake of the company's opposition to the state's Parental Rights in Education law. The Senator contended that he's done giving his money to the house that Mickey Mouse built. "I got rid of my Disney+. I'm not planning on going back to the park," Scott said. Scott hailed the "common sense" law, saying "our kindergartners shouldn't be taught about sex in school."
"Biden adviser Cedric Richmond is leaving the White House" via Jonathan Martin and Zolan Kanno-Youngs of The New York Times — Richmond, a senior adviser to Biden, is expected to step down from his position next month, becoming one of the first senior White House aides to leave the administration as Democrats brace for a difficult midterm election. Richmond has informed Biden of his intentions. Richmond expected to enter the private sector but also to advise the Democratic National Committee, which has not forged a close relationship with the White House.
— LOCAL NOTES: N. FL —
"JAXPORT, Southeast Toyota announce $210M relocation and expansion" via Wes Wolfe of Florida Politics — A $210 million long-term lease is now in effect for JAXPORT and one of the Port's longest tenants, Southeast Toyota Distributors. "This is an exciting day for Southeast Toyota," Southeast Toyota Vice President Casey Gunnell said at the lease signing Monday morning at JAXPORT Headquarters. Improvements to the Port's Blount Island facility, a $33 million project, will see half the costs shouldered by Southeast Toyota and the other half covered through a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) grant.
Toyota makes a nine-figure investment in a JAXPORT move.
— MORE LOCAL: C. FL —
"Trump's company to rumble with Twitter from Sarasota County" via Chris Anderson of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune — On April 18, state records show that Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. registered as a business in Florida and used an office building on North Cattlemen Road in Sarasota as its address. So why is this such a big deal? Because Trump Media & Technology Group owns a social media app called Truth Social, Trump's antagonistic answer to Twitter. What makes this even more interesting is the fact Trump's company also registered as a business in Georgia one month before it did in Florida. If Trump plans to run in 2024, as most think he will, he needs a similar platform. Now he has one. Not only that, but he would now have a weapon with which to battle Musk, the world's richest man who is attempting to buy Twitter.
Can Truth Social take on Twitter?
"Eric Lynn announces policy proposal: 'Preventing Another Piney Point'" via Kelly Hayes of Florida Politics — Lynn has announced his campaign's first policy proposal focused on protecting Florida's natural resources. The three-pronged proposal, coined "Preventing Another Piney Point Disaster," suggests steps to ensure the state's coast is not burdened with more pollution spills. The Democratic candidate brings the policy framework after Tampa Bay reported its worst red tide event in 50 years last July, just months after failure at Manatee County's Piney Point Phosphate Plant led to more than 200 million gallons of contaminated water being dumped into the bay.
"Pinellas Commissioners get Session priority post-mortem" via Suzette Porter of Tampa Bay Newspapers — Pinellas County's intergovernmental liaison presented an overview to the Commission on April 21 on actions taken during the 2022 Legislative Session. Brian Lowack highlighted several bills introduced and passed during the Regular Session and presented information about the $112 billion proposed budget. His report focused on actions that could affect Pinellas if signed into law by DeSantis. One of the more significant was Senate Bill 1764: Municipal Solid Waste-to-Energy Program. The bill provides funding for counties with waste-to-energy facilities, which is vital to Pinellas because its power-purchase agreement with Duke Energy is expiring in 2024, vastly reducing the revenue coming into the Solid Waste Department.
"Presidential politics turned a $75 used couch purchase into a $30K Tampa Bay lawsuit" via Daniel Figueroa of Florida Politics — Miscommunication over the delivery and a brief volley of politically fueled insults escalated a $75 used couch purchase to a lawsuit seeking up to $30,000 in damages. St. Petersburg woman Elizabeth Gardner has been embroiled in a legal battle with Largo's City 2 City Moving for more than a year. Gardener purchased a brown leather couch from City 2 City owner Regina Jones in January 2021. But Jones said Gardner couldn't take the couch home that day. They packed it behind a truck full of furniture. Gardner said she was told to meet at the Largo shop the next day to get it. But when she arrived, and the truck was opened, nothing had moved.
"Tampa Bay Lightning visits White House for first time to celebrate back-to-back Stanley Cup wins" via Basil John and Heather Monahan of WFLA — The Tampa Bay Lightning paid a visit to the White House on Monday to commemorate the team's back-to-back Stanley Cup wins. The Lightning won the Stanley Cup in 2020 but couldn't visit the White House to celebrate because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The team then repeated as champions last year. "This team joined rare company," Biden said. "One of only eight teams over the last century to win two Stanley Cups in a row." He also noted the importance of 2021's win and celebration with fans after the team's 2020 win in the "bubble."
"Lightning's White House visit 'a long time in the making'" via Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times — The Lightning waited a long time to visit the White House, but maybe the timing for their trip, coming on Monday's final off day of the Regular Season, was perfect. With the postseason starting May 2, their trip to D.C., which has long been a traditional perk for championship-winning sports teams, reminded what it took to claim back-to-back Stanley Cups. The pandemic kept the Lightning from the White House after their bubble victory in 2020, and two trips to face the Capitals this season yielded no visit. Monday's ceremony came together quickly, and the team flew up following Sunday's win at the Panthers.
— MORE LOCAL: S. FL —
"Proud Boys, police turned out for women's rally in Sarasota" via Susan Washington for Florida Politics — The rally — organized by Women's Voices of Southwest Florida and titled March for Our Futures — featured several speakers, including Democratic politicians Ken Russell, currently running for U.S. Senate, and Eleuterio "Junior" Salazar, Jr., who is running for the newly redistricted Florida House District 70. "Even though it wasn't a big crowd, it was a crowd that got the message across," Salazar said, adding, "We are in such trying times right now; we are truly defining history as we speak." Approximately a dozen uniformed police — about as many as the members of the Proud Boys who were at the park that day — remained until the event dispersed around 1:30 p.m. At the rally, Proud Boys wearing black T-shirts waved large flags and shouted their condemnation of abortion and their support for DeSantis.
About a dozen members of the Proud Boys counterprotest a Sarasota women's march. Image via Susan Washington.
Latest 'Keeping Kids Safe' podcast features Debbie Wasserman Schultz — U.S. Rep. Wasserman Schultz is a guest on this week's episode of The ZAC Foundation's "Keeping Kids Safe" podcast, in which she discusses her efforts to improve pool safety through federal legislation and public education. Wasserman Schultz authored the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act in 2007, and there have not been any drain entrapment deaths in U.S. public pools. Despite the effectiveness of the bipartisan bill — which is currently up for reauthorization — accidental drowning remains the most common cause of death for kids between 1 and 4 years old. To listen to the episode, click here.
— TOP OPINION —
"Venezuelans deserve better than Marco Rubio" via Jose Gamboa for the Orlando Sentinel — In 2016, I left Venezuela as an asylum-seeker after political persecution and harassment made it impossible for me to remain in my country. From a young age, I had always admired American democracy, the values for which it stands, and how politics seemed to be about working together for the greater good and not for personal gain. Rubio also claimed that Venezuelan Americans who advocated for immigration relief for Venezuelans in the United States did not care about Venezuela's freedom, attempting to gaslight and divide our community. The fact is that the Venezuelan crisis has created the most significant refugee crisis in the Western Hemisphere and in the Americas, which makes our situation inherently an issue of immigration.
— OPINIONS —
"Critics are wrong. Biden is getting Ukraine right." via Jennifer Rubin of The Washington Post — He has rightly rejected the invitation to start World War III, opting instead for an "all of the above" strategy. On the arms front, he previously decided against sending aircraft to Ukraine because, contrary to claims from his critics, they proved unnecessary in the battle for Kyiv. Now that the action has shifted to the Donbas region, Biden has responded appropriately. For every Russian tank, the President said, the United States has sent 10 antitank systems. And in "facilitating the significant flow of weapons and systems to Ukraine from other Allies and partners around the world," the United States has ensured that Ukraine has the weaponry to maintain the fight and continue to turn back Russian forces, which few thought possible.
"Kevin McCarthy's border stunt reveals a dark truth about the GOP" via James Downie of The Washington Post — McCarthy will travel to the U.S.-Mexico border. It's a transparent attempt to distract from newly released tapes recorded just after the Jan. 6 insurrection, in which McCarthy is heard telling other Republicans that he would advise Trump to resign. If McCarthy wanted to center his stunt on the most politically potent issue, he wouldn't pick immigration. In a recent Gallup poll, 17% of voters chose inflation as the country's most important problem, followed by the closely related catchall of "the economy" at 11%. Immigration is down at 5%. Yet, McCarthy and his fellow Republicans aren't holding political stunts outside gas stations or supermarkets; they're hammering border politics. Why? Because while immigration might not sway the electorate, it fires up the GOP base that McCarthy wants to keep on his side.
"America's mortal danger — from those exploiting prejudice, fears" via Alan Cohn for Florida Politics — A speech on the floor of the Michigan State Senate by an, up until now, little-known state Senator named Mallory McMorrow is going viral. "Who knows that the idea that learning about slavery and racism means that children are being taught to feel bad or hate themselves because they are white is absolute nonsense." McMorrow says she was responding to a Republican colleague who accused her in a fundraising email of "grooming and sexualizing children" and "wanting children to believe they were responsible for slavery and feel bad about it because they're white." McMorrow brilliantly cuts to the chase in a way I hope resonates with both Democrats and Republicans who may well agree with her but are increasingly turning off all the noise and just trying to get their kids to soccer practice while dealing with the rising cost of living.
"Condo insurance is costing more — when you can find it, at all. Where are Florida's legislators?" via the Miami Herald editorial board — The fallout from the devastating and deadly Surfside condo collapse continues in Florida. This time, it's condo associations, and by extension, condo owners, paying the price. They're seeing insurance rates increasing and, at the same time, the availability of insurance decrease. Lawmakers could have helped steady the market by addressing at least some of the issues. Instead, they were consumed by issues of the culture wars and by their own re-election chances in the fall. Unfortunately, doing the work of the people took on far less urgency than their own survival.
"Elon Musk is the wrong leader for Twitter's vital mission" via Timothy L. O'Brien of Bloomberg — It looks as if Twitter Inc. will sell itself to Musk for $43 billion, which would make the deal one of the largest leveraged buyouts in Wall Street history and give Tesla Inc.'s steward a powerful social media perch. The math is sketchy, however, as are Musk's intentions. Both of those factors promise to make this deal a potential train wreck and will force investors, managers, users and society to think more clearly and seriously about the role that social media companies play in an era scarred by viral propaganda and misinformation. Musk still hasn't provided meaningful details about what exactly he will do to rev up Twitter's engines. He has been an effective and bold leader at Tesla, but Tesla makes electric vehicles; it's not a media company.
— ALOE —
"Revamped 'Finding Nemo' show coming back to Disney World" via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics — Disney World is bringing back an updated version of its popular Finding Nemo musical show this summer, another big step in the pandemic recovery. "Finding Nemo: The Big Blue … and Beyond!" debuts this summer, Disney announced recently, although the theme park company didn't give a precise opening date. It's the re-imagined, updated version of "Finding Nemo — The Musical," which first began entertaining audiences in 2007. "Finding Nemo — The Musical" was an elaborate 40-minute show at Disney World that featured human performers with puppets and detailed sets that looked like you were underwater. Adapted from the popular movie, the theme park show had a long run until the pandemic struck in March 2020, closing the parks.
A re-imagined 'Finding Nemo' musical returns to Disney, one of several live shows coming back. Image via Disney Blog.
"Tallahassee's La Fiesta restaurant is closing for good this Saturday" via Gina Jordan of WFSU — Fans of La Fiesta are grabbing Mexican food while they can. This is the last week in business for the Apalachee Parkway restaurant that's been a fixture in Tallahassee since 1989. The owners, Pedro and Jana Hernandez, say their decision is not because of the economy or a lack of workers. They say they simply want to retire. They made the announcement on Facebook, explaining their decision to close for good on Saturday, April 30th. "We are so incredibly thankful to you for eating with us over the years, and for giving us the privilege of seeing your families grow up, and being able to know you on a personal level," they wrote.
— HAPPY BIRTHDAY —
Celebrating today is Rep. Wyman Duggan, former Rep. Larry Ahern, Alex Barrio, Gina Evans, Director of Government Relations at Tampa International Airport, Andres Malave, Director of Communications for Florida GOP House campaigns, and St. Petersburg Deputy Mayor Stephanie Owens.
___
Sunburn is authored and assembled by Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Daniel Dean, Renzo Downey, Jacob Ogles, and Drew Wilson.
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