Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics. First Shot The campaign backing the recreational marijuana amendment is launching a new initiative aimed at convincing veterans to pull the lever in November. Smart & Safe Florida’s “Vets Vote #YesOn3” statewide Veterans Coalition will emphasize to former service members and other voters that the proposal, which will appear on the ballot as Amendment 3, would guarantee “safe, regulated access to adult use of cannabis for those 21 years of age and older” if passed. The political committee said the newly announced coalit ..read more

The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) is making waves — in a good way. In a resounding vote of confidence, S&P Global Ratings lifted its ratings on several bonds of WASD, which is in the midst of an $8.6 billion capital improvement program. “To be recognized by such a renowned rating agency is a testament to the responsible fiscal leadership at WASD,” Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said in a statement. “Our water professionals not only look for innovative ways to implement new technologies that ensure our community is future-ready and has access to safe drinking water for ..read more

Just over a month after Surfside voters ousted him from the town’s most prominent elected office, businessman Shlomo Danzinger is running to unseat Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. He’s the fourth Republican and seventh person to enter the technically nonpartisan race for the county’s top government post. Levine Cava, a Democrat whom Danzinger endorsed for re-election in September, is the first woman to hold the job. She’s also the first Jewish person to serve as Miami-Dade Mayor. Danzinger made history in March 2022 by becoming Surfside’s first Orthodox Jewish Mayor. The Miami He ..read more

President Joe Biden threw his support to former U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell’s campaign for Senate. During a stop in Tampa, he called out the Miami Democrat by name in the crowd, and said she must defeat incumbent U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. “I want to thank Debbie, our next U.S. Senator. Debbie, stand up,” Biden said. “This is a critical race. Rick Scott wants to sunset social security. I think the voters are going to sunset Rick Scott.” The remarks came as Biden campaigned in Tampa for re-election himself. The Florida visit signaled a belief Florida that will be a battleground, especially with ..read more

A current state Representative and Senate candidate says that recent antisemitic incidents at universities mean that it’s time for students to bring their gats and pistols along with laptops and books. “It’s time for Jewish students to start carrying. Next Session, I will introduce legislation to end universities as gun-free zones and provide funding for students who want to learn how to carry safely. It is time to #StandOurGround,” asserts Rep. Randy Fine. The proposal is particularly audacious given that Florida banned gun purchases for people under the age of 21 in the wake of the mass murd ..read more

Latino Victory Fund, an organization that supports Latino representation in politics, is backing Sabrina Bousbar in her race for Florida’s 13th Congressional District. Bousbar is one of seven Democrats running for the party’s nomination to challenge incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna. The organization cited her experience working with the federal government. Bousbar served as a senior advisor in the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) in President Joe Biden’s administration. “Sabrina has a storied ..read more

Even after a Senator pressed Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) and the city’s General Counsel for more details on a ballyhooed investigation of recurrent issues at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, a representative of Jacksonville’s Mayor says not to expect public disclosure of what was found during the probe began last year. “There is no written report on this investigation within the Office of General Counsel. DCPS has retained an outside law firm, which has been conducting the investigation. Due to pending litigation, we decline to comment further on this matter,” said Melissa Ross, a s ..read more

Pinellas County Commissioner Dave Eggers has weighed in on who he wants to succeed his colleague, Janet Long, on the dais in District 1. The Republican, who occasionally sides with Democrats on the dais, is backing Republican Chris Scherer over the Democrat in the race, Cookie Kennedy. Eggers, who is known for his moderate approach to governance, cited a common GOP mantra in his endorsement, noting Scherer’s willingness to limit government. “As a business owner, Scherer understands that in order to make Pinellas County affordable again, we need less government, not more,” Eggers said. “Conserv ..read more

Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed legislation to boost red tide research and direct funding toward expanding Florida’s Wildlife Corridor. “With the investments we’re getting, we’re on our way to linking these areas so that we can promote safe and stabilized species movements,” DeSantis said. The Governor signed the legislation in Naples, a region Senate President Kathleen Passidomo represents. Environmental investments had been chief priorities for Passidomo during the past two Legislative Sessions. DeSantis at the event stressed the need to preserve Florida’s environment for future generations to ..read more

Florida’s Governor took some time out from his official duties to fume about the failures of federal leadership. Gov. Ron DeSantis told an audience in Naples that Congress had been derelict in its duty to protect the Mexican-U.S. border, suggesting that “nothing” would happen to increase enforcement actions this year in the wake of the House’s failure to pass a fast-tracked border security bill by the necessary 2/3 supermajority vote. “They basically capitulated entirely,” DeSantis said at the Florida Gulf Coast University Kapnick Education and Research Center. “They had an opportuni ..read more