A FloridaPolitics.com Publication
SPRING 2020
A memorable class of Florida lawmakers says goodbye — for now.
PUBLISHER’S | NOTE
@PeterSchorschFL
We did our best
P
lease allow me to apologize. We were hard at work on the post-Session edition of INFLUENCE Magazine when, almost overnight, the new coronavirus changed everything. Grocery stores are open; schools, bars and restaurants are closed. At $37, round-trip airfare from Tampa to Las Vegas is cheaper than ordering alcohol-based hand sanitizer on Amazon. The public demands information, then short circuits like the New York Stock Exchange when too much of it is bad. Shoppers are emptying shelves of disinfectants, which at least makes some sense, and toilet paper, which makes none. We’re leery of doors, gas pumps and elevator buttons but haven’t gotten around to thinking about the other 200 surfaces we touched before touching our face. “Social distancing” has crimped courtesies but reinvigorated the idea of personal space. As the state, and the world, comes to grips with what’s likely the new normal — at least for the foreseeable future — Florida Politics’ obligation is to supply the people of Florida with timely, factual information on how the virus is affecting communities across the state. With that in mind, we feel it is inappropriate to direct our efforts toward luxurious feature stories. But we still had some good content, some that could provide our loyal readers a welcome respite from the increasingly gloomy news about this pandemic. And we especially wanted to share our selections for the winners emerging from the 2020 Legislative Session. We have decided to make this post-Session issue of INFLUENCE available online. What you will find is a very incomplete, rushed edition of INFLUENCE. An edition that I sincerely hope is not the last. An additional apology to our print subscribers: This edition will not be landing in mailboxes.
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We hope that this crisis is a distant memory by then, but as of now, our summer edition of INFLUENCE has been put on hold also. I promise INFLUENCE Magazine will be back in the fall, especially because we will then be publishing our bi-annual list of the 100 most influential people in Florida politics. Something tells me that list will be very different from previous editions. Godspeed.
Peter Schorsch Publisher
Peter@FloridaPolitics.com
INFLUENCE MAGAZINE A FloridaPolitics.com Publication
PUBLISHER
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Peter Schorsch
Phil Ammann
EDITOR-AT-LARGE
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Christy Jennings
CONTRIBUTORS Janelle Irwin Andrew Meachem Scott Powers Drew Wilson
Rochelle Koff Ryan Nicol Rebecca Renner
FLORIDA’S
ART
Kristin Piccolo
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Colin Hackley Mary Beth Tyson
DIGITAL SERVICES MANAGER
IN DIGITAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS
Rosanne Dunkelberger
Abby Hart Mark Wallheiser
Daniel Dean
SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscribe at InfluenceMagazineFlorida.com
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INFLUENCE Magazine is published quarterly by Florida Politics, LLC, a subsidiary of Extensive Enterprises Media, LLC. 204 37th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Florida 33704. INFLUENCE Magazine and Extensive Enterprises Media are not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photography or artwork. Editorial contributions are welcomed and encouraged, but will not be returned. INFLUENCE Magazine reserves the right to publish any letters to the editor. Copyright April 2020, Extensive Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
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www.ChooseSDS.com Tallahassee, Florida Joe@ChooseSDS.com Matt@ChooseSDS.com
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With gratitude for the leaders and healers. Florida will come back stronger because of you.
cccfla.com | 850.222.9075 @CapCityConsult SPRING 2020 INFLUENCE | 5
SPRING 2020
INFLUENCE MAGAZINE
PHOTO: Mary Beth Tyson
features
80 EXIT INTERVIEWS After serving in the House and Senate, these term-limited legislators reflect on past accomplishments and their plans for the future.
56 Kathleen Passidomo
No stranger to challenges as a legislator, the presumptive Senate President in 2023-24 plans to bring her penchant for research and reaching across the aisle to create solutions for Florida’s problems.
60 Winning!
It took 60 days and then some, but after it’s all over, we present you with a listing of legislative champions for Session 2020.
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102 What I’ve Learned with Al Cardenas
A former Republican Party chair, friend to presidents and no fan of the current POTUS talks about his desire to rebuild the Republican Party in the days after Donald Trump.
Natural gas works here. Our state needs reliable, affordable and responsible energy to keep pace with growth and change. Natural gas helps, and is already hard at work in Florida. • Residents use natural gas to save energy while cooking, heating water and warming homes. • Bus fleets, tractor trucks and cruise ships use compressed and liquefied natural gas to lower costs, reduce emissions and build resiliency into operations. • Cities and counties leverage landfill and other waste gas into renewable natural gas to meet aggressive carbon reduction goals. Peoples Gas is trusted to deliver our energy safely and reliably to more than 400,000 customers across Florida. We put natural gas to work here.
peoplesgas.com SPRING 2020 INFLUENCE | 7
INFLUENCE MAGAZINE
departments
42 108 26
50 20 26 The Alchemy of Desserts
PHOTOS: Marybeth Tyson, The Workmans
With a James Beard award nomination, the nation has discovered what Tallahassee patrons of Kool Beanz have known all along: Pastry chef Sylvia Gould combines art and flavors to create desserts to delight the senses.
38 Harlem Nights and Cocktail Hour for the Pups Snapshots from a gala event sponsored by the Florida Conference of Black State Legislators and a lighthearted interparty competition to raise funds for animal adoption.
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On the Move Political Aficionado’s Guide
11
Briefings from the Rotunda
32
Fourth Floor Files
42
The Big Question
108
Insider’s Advice 50 A trio of experts share their thoughts and strategies for communicating in the time of coronavirus.
Florida’s prosperity has long been closely tied to trade. In 2018, Florida’s seaports handled $87.3 billion worth of cargo and traded with almost every country in the world. Our ports offer definitive advantages to the state’s consumers and producers by developing state-of-the-art infrastructure to move freight and passengers with ever increasing speed and efficiency. And that results in greater performance for your business.
When you think business, think Florida first.
Port Canaveral | Port Everglades | Port of Fernandina | Port of Fort Pierce | JAXPORT Port of Key West | Port Manatee | PortMiami | Port of Palm Beach | Port Panama City Port of Pensacola | Port of Port St. Joe | Port St. Pete | Port Tampa Bay
502 East Jefferson Street | Tallahassee, Florida 32301 | flaports.org
Aficionado’s Guide to ...
the Political BEST
STUFF
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GOOD
READS
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FILM
A Survival Guide When You’re Homebound by Coronavirus BY JOE CLEMENTS
IN SURVIVAL COURSES you learn what you need to live is pretty basic. A positive mental attitude, shelter, fire, water, food and a signaling device
can keep you going for a long time. Of course, being holed up in an air-conditioned home with Wi-Fi and food delivery during weeks of social
distancing is not exactly roughing it, but it does require some adjustment. Here’s the gear I’ve been using to maintain some semblance of normalcy:
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BOSE QC II HEADPHONE A lot of people have moved to AirPod Pro earphones, but for staying focused I still prefer the Bose over-the-ear, wireless Quiet Comfort II headphones. $350
FUNCTION TRAINING RACK I’ve had the home gym setup for several years, so when my personal training gym had to close I didn’t need to rush out and buy new gear. A lot of people overcomplicate this setup but all you need is a good squat rack, bar and some weights. I use the ETHOS Functional Training Rack. $350
ZOOM The company is now a household name, and its conferencing platform is used by everyone from Fortune 400 companies to fourth-graders, but I still prefer in-person meetings to video calls. 12 | INFLUENCE SPRING 2020
“THE KNOWLEDGE: HOW TO REBUILD CIVILIZATION IN THE AFTERMATH OF A CATACLYSM” The book asks: “If 99% of humanity died in a pandemic, then how would we rebuild society?” As it turns out our specialized, complex world is also very fragile and hardly anyone actually knows how anything works. “The Knowledge” is a primer on the basics of how everything works — from power generation to farming. It’s kind of the book version of the Svalbard Seed Vault for basic technological understanding. $29 hardcover, $4.99
UNCLE BEN’S READY RICE Just add beans or meat from last night’s dinner and you’ve got a fast and modest healthy lunch ready to go. It cooks in the microwave in 90 seconds and comes in 22 plain and flavored varieties. $2
AUDIBLE The best value in entertainment and education. Stop wasting time on Netflix shows about weirdos with tigers and learn something from a good book. First month free, $14.94 a month after that.
Government Procurement Contracts Advocacy Legislative & Regulatory Affairs Economic Development Incentives
Miami * Fort Lauderdale * Tallahassee * Washington, D.C. SPRING 2020 INFLUENCE
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Aficionado’s Guide to ...
the Political BOOKS
Never A Better Time For These Reads BY SALLY BRADSHAW
NEVER WANTED TO BE A TEACHER to anyone’s child, especially your own? Thinking of bribing your local brewer so you can secretly shelter in place with them? No worries. The perfect antidote to social distancing is simple — a great read. And you can lock yourself in a closet with a flashlight where spouse and children won’t immediately find you. There has never been a better time to pull from that stack beside your bed and dive into a good book. My always lengthy waiting list currently includes “The Essex Serpent” by Sarah Perry. I scored a fabulous signed copy at Russian Hill bookstore in San Francisco last August. This story has been called “a marvelous novel about the workings of life, love and belief…” among other things. Also in the stack: “The River,” by “Dog Stars” author Peter Heller, an outdoor thriller/ adventure that the Wall Street Journal calls “one of those books that makes you happy for literature” and Paul Bradshaw loved. Perhaps I’ll also re-read a suspenseful Ruth Ware (her latest, “The Turn of the Key,” about a nanny in a smart home is un-put-downable — a good bookseller adjective.) 14 | INFLUENCE SPRING 2020
But if you’re looking for a few new titles, your local indie bookstore has you covered. Most have online shopping via their websites and some, like Midtown Reader (midtownreader.com), are actually providing free delivery direct to your door.
HERE’S MY EXPANDED LIST IN THE AGE OF CORONA:
Must read Florida book of the moment “Cat Tale” by Craig Pittman Author of “Oh Florida” and award-winning journalist Craig Pittman has again crafted an amazing tale of Sunshine State history — in this instance the fight to save the Florida panther. With characteristic wit and terrific story-telling, Pittman recounts the battle and its heroes and foes. Great new fiction “The City We Became” by N.K. Jemison Fantasy fans are thrilled about bestselling author N.K. Jemisen’s new release, which Neil Gaiman called “glorious.” Weird things are happening in the Big Apple. Five New Yorkers must join forces to save their city. Could there be a better time to read something like this?
If you must read about plagues “Blindness” by José Saramago Nobel Prize winner José Saramago wrote the ultimate pandemic book in 1999 in which a doctor’s wife is the only person immune to an episode of blindness that takes over a South American city. It’s not a new read — but I couldn’t put it down — and you can go back and watch the movie starring Julianne Moore when you’re finished. Spoiler alert: The book is always better than the movie. If you want to read non-fiction “The Splendid and the Vile,” by “Devil in the White City” author Erik Larsen, tells the story of Winston Churchill during The Blitz in London and how his leadership taught the Brits to be fearless, a lesson we desperately need. And since you’re cooking more at home Can’t go wrong with the latest from the Barefoot Contessa. “Cook Like a Pro” recipes and tips for home cooks by Ina Garten – is the perfect way to perfect your skills while stuck at home. All her recipes taste and look fabulous – and you’ll have a new career when restaurants reopen!
In times like these, when we’re all feeling the economic impacts from COVID-19, we must keep in mind that safety is our immediate priority. Like businesses across Florida, the Florida Chamber of Commerce is committed to the safety and health of Florida employers and the millions of people that work for them. Our goal is to meet this challenge head-on by sharing key information and best practices, while providing employers with useful resources.
FOLLOW FACTS, NOT FEAR AT www.FloridaChamber.com/Coronavirus SPRING 2020 INFLUENCE | 15
the Political
Aficionado’s Guide to ...
BOOKS
Viral Reads: Entertaining Books on Pandemics and Contagion BY REBECCA RENNER
IF YOU’RE LIKE MOST AMERICANS, the coronavirus pandemic probably has you on edge. No matter how informed you are, it feels like every new day brings more uncertainty.
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IT’S TEMPTING TO LET FEAR of the unknown get the best of you, especially if you suddenly have a lot more time to worry. Rather than panicking, use that time to learn more about viruses and the history of pandemics. These eight books explain the complex topic of virology with engrossing storytelling that will make you forget you’re learning. Even though there are no easy answers for this challenging time, your newfound understanding of public health will make facing the coronavirus pandemic seem a little less daunting.
“I CONTAIN MULTITUDES: THE MICROBES WITHIN US AND A GRANDER VIEW OF LIFE”
BY ED YONG Before you dive into the deep world of viruses, disease vectors and pandemics, you have to start small, very small, with Ed Yong’s engrossing introduction into the world of microbiology. “I Contain Multitudes” offers a “microbe’s-eye view” of the world, illuminating the microcosms of bacteria on, in and around us, and revealing how all life on Earth is more complex and interconnected than meets the eye. From the microbes of our immune systems to the millions of infinitesimal organisms deep in the ocean, bacteria sustain the balance of every living thing on the planet.
“THE BIOGRAPHY OF RESISTANCE: THE EPIC BATTLE BETWEEN PEOPLE AND PATHOGENS”
BY MUHAMMAD H. ZAMAN In 2016, a Nevada woman died of a mysterious infection that was resistant to antibiotics. Her case baffled doctors. Some believed the pathogen that took her life might have been a superbug, a microbe that has mutated to beat our best medical lines of defense. The incidence of superbugs is rising, and with them, a public health crisis like no other is beginning to take hold. “The Biography of Resistance” weaves together history, sociology and medicine to tell the story of how humans have engineered the looming superbug catastrophe, for which we’re all at least a little bit to blame.
“PALE RIDER: THE SPANISH FLU OF 1918 AND HOW IT CHANGED THE WORLD”
BY LAURA SPINNEY Between 1918 and 1920, the Spanish Flu infected a third of the Earth’s population, killing more than 50 million people. Yet popular history often treats this global pandemic as a footnote. In “Pale Rider,” Laura Spinney chronicles the Spanish Flu’s trajectory across the globe, exposing its influence on politics, culture and science. The Spanish Flu changed the world. Humanity survived through the tenacity and ingenuity that have made us who we are today. Read “Pale Rider” to see how Earth survived a great pandemic. Along with teaching you some history, Spinney may impart some hope for these dark times.
“THE PANDEMIC CENTURY: ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF PANIC, HYSTERIA, AND HUBRIS”
BY MARK HONIGSBAUM The new coronavirus spreading now is far from this century’s first pandemic. In the past 100 years, numerous epidemics have gripped the planet, from the Spanish Flu in 1918 to more recent outbreaks like SARS and Ebola. Pandemics are more common than they seem, and yet, deadly pathogens still take the world by surprise. In “The Pandemic Century,” Mark Honigsbaum narrates accounts of the 20th and 21st Century’s most devastating contagions, examining the mysteries of their origins and documenting society’s response. Living through pandemics can be terrifying, but at least, with “The Pandemic Century,” we know humanity has plenty of practice.
“SPILLOVER: ANIMAL INFECTIONS AND THE NEXT HUMAN PANDEMIC”
BY DAVID QUAMMEN Although it came out in 2012, “Spillover” sheds light on a concept relevant to the current coronavirus pandemic, the zoonotic spread of infectious disease. Researchers believe the new coronavirus first jumped from animals to humans at a wet market in Wuhan, China. Even though the idea may sound strange and alien to the uninitiated, zoonotic diseases are relatively common, with myriad ailments from leprosy to run-of-the-mill influenza included among their number. David Quammen goes deep on the topic with plenty of twists, turns and gripping mystery, making “Spillover” the most timely book you could read right now.
“PANDEMIC: TRACKING CONTAGIONS, FROM CHOLERA TO EBOLA AND BEYOND”
BY SONIA SHAH More than 300 infectious diseases have emerged in the past 50 years alone. At least one of those diseases could become a deadly pandemic, according to epidemiologists who talked to Sonia Shah for “Pandemic” before the book hit shelves in 2015. Did one of those 300 diseases become the coronavirus epidemic? Discover more about the history of global pandemics and the science of their spread through Shah’s adventurous mix of original reporting, memoir and historical narrative.
“GET WELL SOON: HISTORY’S WORST PLAGUES AND THE HEROES WHO FOUGHT THEM”
BY JENNIFER WRIGHT There’s a reason many nursery rhymes were about plagues. For hundreds of years, history was ruled by sickness and death, and in those superstitious times, some plagues were more sinister than others. In “Get Well Soon,” Jennifer Wright employs humor as much as she does research to recreate morbid and strange scenes from medicine’s peculiar past. Travel back in time to the macabre and curious moments when society was captured by plagues, from the notorious case of Typhoid Mary to more esoteric oddities like the 1518 story of Frau Troffea and the town in Alsace, France, stricken by a disease that made them dance.
“THE NEXT PANDEMIC: ON THE FRONT LINES AGAINST HUMANKIND’S GRAVEST DANGERS”
BY ALI S. KHAN In Ali S. Khan’s long career as a public health first responder, he came face-to-face with some of the most frightening threats of our lifetime, including anthrax and bird flu. Khan fought infectious disease from behind a thin protective mask. His memoir, “The Next Pandemic,” recalls the harrowing scenes of his life on the front lines against infectious disease: sleeping under nets to defend himself from scorpions, the pulse-pounding drama of triage and tracking down patient zero. Along the way, Khan asks: As pandemics rise, what happens when people make mistakes? Needless to say, following Khan into the hornet’s nest of contagion will give you a new appreciation for sheltering in place.
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At the Governors Inn, you’ll be welcomed as a friend and pampered as a guest.
The Governors Inn is a distinctive boutique hotel located steps from Florida’s Capitol. As Tallahassee’s most well-appointed and well-positioned address, it is the hotel of choice for those seeking refined luxury at an affordable price in the heart of historic downtown, with 41 fine rooms and suites, many named for a Governor from Florida’s past. With a high walkability score, The Governors Inn is in the heart of government activities, fine restaurants, football gatherings and downtown’s many events and only a short walk to Florida State University and a short drive to Florida A&M University, making it the ideal home base for guests who are visiting faculty, parents, attending sport events, trade association meetings, lobbying or corporate campus recruiting.
GOVINNTALLAHASSEE.COM
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850-681-6855
STEPS FROM THE CAPITOL
Aficionado’s Guide to ...
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FILM
The Show Will Go On BY JOHN LUX
COVID-19 HAS SHUT DOWN production sets across the country, and Florida is no different. Only the smallest budgets include sets with fewer than 10 people, and there’s no way to do hair and make up from 6 feet away. Producers, audio techs, camera operators, grips, caterers, food trucks, etc. all operate in close proximity, so social distancing is not an option. Many of the 50,000+ Floridians that work in the film, television and digital media production industry are independent contractors or freelance industry professionals. When people refer to the “gig” economy, this is one of the industries they are talking about. The industry’s freelance workers are contracted directly for a job, then another job, then another, etc. When a downturn like the one caused by the COVID-19 pandemic comes along, they don’t work, which means they don’t collect a paycheck. As independent contractors, they also are not eligible for traditional unemployment benefits. Their ability to earn a wage has been completely shut down. But the impact is not limited to independent contractors — most companies in the industry are small companies. A small company works on a project, then another, then another, etc. Because they aren’t three, four or five people deep at every position, their ability to earn money is based on lining up
projects one after the other. There is now a massive hole in that production timeline. When the switch is flipped back on, many of those projects will happen at the same time. Most small companies can’t work on many projects at the same time so instead of a company working (for example) on four projects in March, then four projects in April, those eight projects might all come on line in May. But because the small company can only work on one or two of them at the same time, the other projects go elsewhere. Instead of earning revenue from eight projects, they might get two. And that’s if the companies who needed their production services before the virus hit, still do (or can afford it) after. The film, television and digital media industry has a spider effect on Florida’s economy. Not only does a traditional production set have 10, 20, 50, or evn 100+ Floridian’s per day, those crews go to Home Depot or Lowe’s, they have clients that travel from out of town and stay in hotels, rent vehicles, eat at restaurants, and shop at Publix. Wardrobe people shop at local clothiers, set dressers buy or rent furniture and longer productions rent office space. The production industry spends money in local communities. Not only are industry professionals affected by COVID-19, but so are local ancillary busi-
nesses outside the industry. With this latest challenge, however, comes opportunities. There’s no such thing as a “silver lining” in a pandemic, but industry professionals are determined to make the best out of the situation. Video/film editors can work isolated, as can writers. There’s sure to be tremendous screenplays that come out of this newfound downtime. Florida’s industry is full of creative minds, and those minds are coming up with tremendous creative content. The Florida production community is very resilient. They have come back before and there’s no doubt they will come back again. When the time is right, the industry will be full steam ahead sending the signal that Florida is open for business and competing for high wage jobs in the film, television and digital media industry. Putting Floridians back to work and generating new revenues is an important step toward getting the Florida economy back on its feet again. Meanwhile, the products of our work — commercials, TV and movies — are key necessities to rebuild our state’s vital tourism industry seriously hurt by this virus. John Lux is the Executive Director of Film Florida, a statewide not-for-profit that represents the film, television and digital media industry and host of the Film Florida Podcast.
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“ FA S H I O N
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a c t
y With the sine die hanky drop, “peacock” season has ended for Tallahassee-based custom clothier Arron Gober. That’s what he calls the clientele — almost exclusively men, mostly lobbyists and businessmen, some politicians — who come to him to create the “fine feathers” that make them stand out during the 60 days of Session. But what about up-and-comers who haunt the halls of the Capitol but lack the fashion savvy — and the budget — to afford a custom-made suit? Take heart, young peachicks, Arron’s Fine Custom Clothing now has something for you, too.
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“This is where you start. Start building out your wardrobe that’s affordable, ...This is getting you into understanding what custom is. And then down the road as they expand their careers and I’m expanding my career, then I could start showing them … some cooler options — better cloth, better makes.” “This is where you start. Start building out your wardrobe that’s affordable, ...This is getting you into understanding what custom is. And then down the road as they expand their careers and I’m expanding my career, then I could start showing them … some cooler options — better cloth, better makes.” “This is where you start. Start building out your wardrobe that’s affordable, ...This is getting you into understanding what custom is. And then down the road as they expand their careers and I’m expanding my career, then I could start showing them … some cooler options — better cloth, better makes.” “This is where you start. Start building out your wardrobe that’s affordable, ...This is getting you into understanding what custom is. And then down the road as they expand their careers and I’m expanding my career then I could start showing them … some cooler options — better cloth, better makes.” Patrick Gober — who was born about the same time Arron Gober began his custom clothing business 27 years ago — has joined his father at the shop, which has added a new, less expensive line to satisfy the needs of a new clientele. While the choices won’t be as expansive as the existing lines carried by the shop, the cost will be cut almost in half. Arron Gober said the new offering includes 30 to 40 “pretty basic suits” and 15 to 20 sport coats that are made to order. While he grew up around the business, Patrick Gober cut his teeth on working with fine men’s clothing at a national firm in Austin, Texas, before returning to his hometown. He said he’s hoping to introduce the next generation of men to the joys of custom-made wear.
“This is where you start. Start building out your wardrobe that’s affordable,” Patrick Gober said. “This is getting you into understanding what custom is. And then down the road as they expand their careers and I’m expanding my career, then I could start showing them … some cooler options — better cloth, better makes.” Gober the Younger also is tuned into the more trim and tailored styles millennials want. “Just a couple years ago, everything was very, very slim. Probably too slim. That’s not going to work for everybody’s body type,” he said. “You’re looking for proportion overall in your fit. But then from there, just being able select different fabrics, maybe have a little bit more color — color that’s going to bring out your skin tones — are kind of cool, nice things.”
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Arron Gober said his older clients get excited about ties — some have a different one for each day of Session — while the youngsters might have five, usually solids, or solid with a touch of color. Or they might go in the opposite direction and have one with a big, bold plaid. Funny socks are the choice of Arron Gober’s existing clients, while Patrick was wearing no socks at all with his loafers. However, “When it’s a lace-up shoe, I always wear socks,” he said. The younger crowd also is more amenable to suits and shirts made with techno-fabrics that combine polyester with natural fibers to make them lighter and stretchy. They also gravitate to less constructed sports coats. “An extreme version of it is called a ‘swacket’, a sweater jacket,” Arron
The Wearin’ of the Green
Gober said. “It has stretch to it. There are no shoulder pads and it’s all taped seams. It’s lightweight. You carry this in your briefcase. Put this on with casual pants, with jeans or a five-pocket slack and it’s a really good look.” One thing both Gobers agree on is the fallacy of stores that tout “buy one, get two free” suits and the hazards of ordering a suit online. “There are only two major components of a custom suit. It’s the make — how it’s made — and the fabric. There is no make in their suits, and the fabric is the cheapest you can possibly buy. Not all wool is created equal,” Arron Gober counseled. “So if you’re only buying a suit for one occasion, you might want to try one of those. But if you plan on wearing it for work, it’s got to hold up.” Online is a crapshoot. It’s nearly im-
Spring is about to be sprung, and Arron Gober returned from a recent clothing convention with a prediction for the hot new menswear color for the season — green. “You say green and that freaks a lot of people out,” he said. “It’s not Augusta green blazers.” Instead, his palette of suiting fabrics includes a sample that looks grey with just a
possible to measure yourself, he said, and the color you see on the computer screen may be worlds apart from what arrives on your doorstep. “I can’t tell you how many online suits guys have tried and they bring them to me and say, ‘Can you fix this?’ Arron Gober said. “They’re not fit-able. For the fit, the color, the fabric, everything in durability and wear, I’ve yet to see any online that’s done right.” Patrick Gober said, like his dad, he plans to make custom clothing his life’s work. “A lot of people come in (to a store) and it’s their job. It’s just a fun, new transition for them,” he said. “I realize this is something I’m going to do for the rest of my life. This is going to be a full-on career”
hint of green in the weave. Or a blue suit accented by teal. “Royal blue came out a few years back and it’s replaced navy blue,” Gober said. “I don’t think green’s going to do this, but it is the hot color, that’ll be very, very popular among the fashion innovators like Nick Iarossi. The high-fashion guys won’t put three pieces of green together. It may just be the sport coat.”
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120 S. Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301 O: (850)727-7087 | F: (850)807-2502 WWW.RAMBACONSULTING.COM
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FOOD
Chef Sylvia Gould:
Memory Maker by gus corbella
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G
reat food creates memories. Much like the lyrics of a favorite song, a great dish can harken back to a memorable meal filled with laughter and shared with those you love. Think Proust and his famous madeleine — and the river of memories that flowed when the tea-soaked cookie touched his palate. Pastry chef Sylvia Gould of Tallahassee’s beloved Kool Beanz Café has been creating countless memories for her customers through her wildly innovative desserts, but none has yet to match the one her desserts gave her on the morning of Feb. 26. “Mom, Mom! If you can hear me, I’ve been nominated for an award!” she exclaimed on a call to her mother. Gould had just learned she was one of 200 semifinalists from around the country to be nominated for a prestigious James Beard Award, considered to be the nation’s highest culinary honor. Her nomination appeared in the field of Outstanding Pastry Chef, among the names of some of the country’s most revered pastry purveyors. While chefs in culinary capitals like New York, Los Angeles and New Orleans are perennially recognized with this accolade, this is the first time that one of Tallahassee’s own has received a nomination. “I feel like I’m living someone else’s life,” Gould recently confided, “I keep waiting for someone to call and tell me they’ve made a mistake.” The first thing that strikes you upon meeting Gould is her bright smile. Some people shed light upon the world, and the joy that she brings to her work shines through brightly. What some may mistake for shyness, others know to just be her deep humility. She’s uncomfortable talking about herself, preferring to express herself through the colors and flavors of her confectionary creations. Gould is an artist and self-taught pastry chef. Keith Baxter, Kool Beanz’s long-time proprietor, recalls hiring her first as a
The fusion of flavors and stunning presentations of her desserts earned Sylvia Gould a nomination for the coveted James Beard Award. Photos: The Workmans
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FOOD
“
She understands the alchemy of sugar, flour, eggs and yeast, ... When I talk to her about desserts, the way she describes them to me, it’s like a science project. – keith baxter
”
Baked Alaska Photo: The Workmans
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Sylvia Gould takes a torch to the towering meringue topping on her toasted coconut layer cake. Photos: The Workmans
server who quickly became a customer favorite. About six or seven years later, Kool Beanz’s pastry chef left. “I think I can do this,” Gould told Baxter. His business instincts and her lack of pastry experience initially made him wary, “but she’d been here so long and done such a wonderful job, I thought I owed her the chance.” Gould showed an immediate flair for desserts. Baxter’s charge to her was simple, “I don’t care when you work, or how many hours you work, I need five different desserts on the menu every day, and she has never failed to deliver that.” Gould’s own food memories transport her back to her childhood and to growing up with her Vietnamese mother, her relatives, and her German grandmother. She recalls her mother’s colorful desserts and dishes, both spicy and sweet, alongside other American staples (“Rice porridge with eggs and dried shrimp to Cheerios and milk”) and how she and her family would pick fruit on the family farm in Bay City, Michigan, for sauces and desserts. She has always loved the outdoors, going for runs on Tallahassee’s Miccosukee Canopy Road Greenway and for inspiring hikes in the Panhandle’s nature preserves. Flora and fauna continue to be constant sources of inspiration for her art and cuisine, and the colors of nature pervade her nostalgic desserts. Additionally, the ever-growing influence of Instagram also inspires her: the bright rainbow of foods emanating from San Francisco’s Atelier Crenn and State Bird Provisions among some of her favorites. “She understands the alchemy of sugar, flour, eggs and yeast,” said Baxter, who considers Gould to be like a sister. “When I talk to her about desserts, the way she describes them to me, it’s like a science project.” While there are no Bunsen burners in her kitchen, she does relish using her culinary torch to caramelize sugar and brown her baked meringues. “It’s my favorite,” she admits with a giggle. Gould’s devotion to her loyal customers goes beyond creating and plating the constantly rotating menu of desserts. She keeps a running list of clients that she personally calls or texts to alert them when their favorite dessert will be available on that week’s menu. “I often ask regulars or visitors if there is a memory dessert or something from their childhood they would like to see,” she said. “It educates me and gives me a glimpse into their world to see them light up talking about it.” Gould turns those memories into luxurious desserts covered in rum sauce, hibiscus syrup and
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FOOD guava cream, filled with horchata ice cream or an Earl Grey infused chocolate ganache. They are adorned with bright starfruit, candied rose petals and luscious berries providing splashes of color. They surprise you with savory hints of tarragon and peppercorn, with spice and saltiness and heat. They crunch with puffed rice and with sesame seed tuiles. Not wanting any of her customers to ever feel left out or overlooked, she often works vegan-friendly and gluten-free options into her weekly offerings, along with savory fusion desserts for those with a less-thansweet tooth (The coconut cassava cake, which showcases Vietnamese flavors, holds a special place in her heart). The James Beard Award has been known to change the trajectory of careers and bring global fame. Gould does not have any big city aspirations, although she does confess to having dreams of owning a little place of her own where she could make banh mi and her favorite Vietnamese desserts. Not long after the nominations were announced, Food Network called to ask Gould to appear on the “Best Baker in America” show. She could barely hear the person on the other end of the phone amid the noise of evening dinner service and the loud hum of the kitchen’s dishwashing machine. “I’ve been so busy, I didn’t call them back. I’ve probably missed the opportunity to be on it,” she said (as Baxter slapped his head in disbelief, both laughing). One suspects this is just the first of many opportunities that await her and her growing fame. “I hope customers come away with a sense of play and, maybe, even mischief,” Gould confides, “But most importantly, a connection to those around them when eating my desserts, as it is through their own shared history and memories and that of my co-workers, family, friends and nature that I am able to create.” The James Beard Restaurant & Chef Awards presentation has been postponed until the summer because of the new coronavirus pandemic. Updates will be posted on the James Beard Foundation website at jamesbeard.org. Gus Corbella is the Senior Director of Government Law & Policy at Greenberg TraurigTallahassee. He is the son of a former chef and restaurateur, and an avowed foodie. He always researches where he is going to eat and drink before making any other travel plans.
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Chef Gould’s creations are a treat for eyes as well as the taste buds. Photos: The Workmans
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Briefings from the Rotunda
RFB
Bondi back at Ballard
F PHOTO: Kevin Dietsch/UPI Credit: UPI/Alamy Live News
ormer Attorney General Pam Bondi is back. Bondi, who served two terms as Florida’s Attorney General, announced she was heading back to work at Ballard Partners, one of the state’s premiere lobbying and consulting firms. Bondi, who joined the firm in 2019 and heads up its regulatory compliance office, left the firm after the White House tapped her for a position on President Donald Trump’s impeachment defense team. “All of us at Ballard Partners are proud of Pam’s recent public service in the Administration and are very pleased that Pam is rejoining our firm,” Brian Ballard, the firm’s founder, said in a statement. “Pam’s experience as a lawyer is unparalleled, and our clients will find her to be a world-class advocate on their behalf in Washington.” Ballard opened his Washington outpost shortly after Trump was elected. The firm has experienced significant growth, due in large part to Ballard’s close ties with the President. Earlier this year, the firm hired Trent Morse, who worked in the Trump administration as the liaison to the Department of Health and Human Services, and Hunter Morgen, who worked as a principal deputy to Peter Navarro and Stephen Miller. But the growth in D.C. isn’t hampering the firm’s Florida operation. The firm, according to recent lobbying compensation reports, show Ballard Partners was the top-earning firm in 2019, collecting nearly $20 million in fees from more than 200 clients. “I am delighted to rejoin Brian and the super-talented team at Ballard Partners,” Bondi said in a statement. “The firm’s growth in the past three years has been exceptional, and I look forward to helping Brian and the firm’s partners continue to build an outstanding and effective bipartisan firm.”
HCA taps Wickboldt
PHOTO: MaryBeth Tyson
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CA Healthcare has tapped Valerie Wickboldt to serve as its Assistant Vice President of PR and communications. Wickboldt will be tasked with ensuring a consistent corporate communications strategy across the North Florida division. The position will allow her to collaborate with hospital leaders, corporate and division communications teams, and other stakeholders to scale the HCA Healthcare store across operating markets and demonstrate the brand’s value to internal and external audiences. A long-time communications pro, Wickboldt most recently served as the state Department of Revenue’s communications director. She joined the state agency in 2016 and spent nearly four years working to enhance strategic communications for the department. Her resume also includes a stint as the Vice President of communications at the James Madison Institute, a Tallahassee think tank. Wickboldt served as the director of communications and development at CoreMessage Inc. from 2010 to 2012. Before that she spent three years as the director of communications at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Bend. There she handled media outreach, event planning and logistics, and implemented a donor outreach and cultivation campaign. SPRING 2020 INFLUENCE | 33
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Briefings from the Rotunda
Gomez promoted at LSN Partners
GrayRobinson promotes Dawson
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PHOTOS: MaryBeth Tyson
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SN Partners has a new director of client relations. The full service consulting firm announced it was promoting Nicole Gomez to director of client relations. In this role, she’ll oversee the firm’s national network through continued engagement in a wide variety of national organizations, including the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, the Democratic Municipal Officials, and Republican Governors Association and Democratic Governors Association. “Nicole has been an integral part of the growth of our local and national business, and she continues to exceed all expectations,” said Alexander P. Heckler, the firm’s co-managing partner and founder, in a statement. Gomez joined LSN Partners in 2018 as an associate. Before that, she served as Chief of Staff to the North Miami Beach Mayor and Commission, leading the division of public affairs and community engagement. She was responsible for the operation and budget of both divisions, including coordinating of policy and legislation, external affairs and communications. “Nicole is highly respected and a collaborative and results-oriented leader,” said Ana M. Garcia, the Dania Beach City Manager and former Manager of North Miami Beach. “She offers impeccable integrity, and I am proud of her achievements at LSN.” A Miami native, Gomez is a University of Central Florida graduate and an alumna of Rick Scott’s 2014 gubernatorial campaign, where she served as deputy director.
hris Dawson can add “shareholder” to his list of accomplishments. GrayRobinson announced that Dawson had been promoted to shareholder. The promotion is “a testament to the high value he has brought to the firm, and his clients, for seven years and counting,” said Dean Cannon, the firm’s President and CEO. The promotion comes as GrayRobinson continues to make gains within the top tier of Florida lobbying firms. In 2019, the firm was ranked among the Top 5 firms in terms of state-level lobbying revenues. The firm brought in $7.68 million in 2019, a more than $400,000 year-over-year increase. Dawson started GrayRobinson as a summer associate, spending two summers at the firm. He proved his worth, joining the firm full time in August 2013. In his role, Dawson handles the needs of a variety of public and private sector clients. Dawson is a graduate of the University of Florida, where he earned a degree in civil engineering. He received his law degree from the University of Alabama and is credentialed as a designated professional lobbyist by the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists. Named one of Florida Politics’ 30-under-30 rising stars in 2016, Dawson is involved in a variety of community and civic organizations, including the Greater Orlando Builders Association, the Apopka Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. “We are very proud to have Chris become a shareholder, and he’s a great asset to our firm.” said Cannon.
Advocacy. Strategic Counsel. Experienced Insight. We are a team of high-energy, results-driven lobbyists and advisors determined to help our clients succeed in today’s fast-changing governmental and political landscape. What’s different about us? As a boutique consulting firm, we take a true team approach to serving clients at the local, state and federal levels of government. When you engage our firm, you get all of us—from our principals to our consultants, all of our diverse experience, our deep relationships built for decades, and our complete dedication to your success. We’re proud of our long-time client relationships and our reputation for achieving results while maintaining the highest ethical and professional standards. Get to know us at RubinTurnbull.com.
Tallahassee
Ft. Lauderdale
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Washington, DC SPRING 2020 INFLUENCE | 35
BFR
Briefings from the Rotunda
Poggie joins AIA Florida
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ennifer Meale Poggie is taking her talents to the private sector. Poggie landed a gig at the Florida branch of the American Institute of Architects. She’ll serve as the communications director for AIA Florida, helping the organization promote architects in Florida and throughout the Caribbean. Founded in 1857 by 13 architects, the American Institute of Architects advocates for the value of architecture and gives architects the resources they need to do their best work. Based in Washington, the organization has more than 200 chapters throughout the world and represents more than 95,000 members. A well-respected communications professional, Poggie has held several top-level positions within state government. She most recently served as communications director at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services under then-Commissioner Adam Putnam. Poggie spent five years at the Agriculture Department, tackling a variety of communications issues. Earlier, Poggie spent four years as the communications director under former Attorney General Pam Bondi. She served in a similar capacity at the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and got her start as a public information specialist for the Leon County Commission. A graduate of Brown University, Poggie has degrees in English and visual arts.
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here’s a new woman in charge at The Nature Conservancy. The global environmental nonprofit announced that Jennifer Morris, a longtime environmental advocate, has been tapped to serve as CEO. Morris replaces former Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, who served as interim CEO. “I am honored, energized, and inspired by the opportunity to work with The Nature Conservancy’s passionate and committed team to build on their tremendous legacy of conservation leadership,” Morris said. “Twenty-five years ago, I set out to build a career dedicated to protecting nature and bettering the lives of all who depend on it, and I can think of no better place than TNC to continue on that journey.” Before joining The Nature Conservancy, Morris served as President of Conservation International where she oversaw programs across
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29 countries and more than 2.3 million square miles of protected land. Morris spent nearly 20 years at Conservation International, joining the global conservation organization in 1999 as the Chief Operating Officer. “We are excited that Jennifer is joining our TNC family as CEO. Her depth of experience, passion for conserving nature and commitment to improving the lives of communities is exactly what our organization needs at this moment,” said Temperince Morgan, Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy Florida Chapter. ““Her steady hand, innovative approach and true hands on experience around the world will help guide us in these times of such unique and pressing challenges. We are confident that TNC will make even greater strides towards a future where people and nature thrive together under Jennifer’s leadership.”
PHOTOS: MaryBeth Tyson
The Nature Conservancy names new CEO
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toasting florida politics
SOCIAL scene
State of Black Florida Gala After the 2020 State of Black Florida Legislative Summit, attendees changed into their glad rags to enjoy a Roaring ’20s-themed gala at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee. Amid festive feather boas, natty tuxedos and antique cars, students were presented with scholarships from the Florida Conference of Black State Legislators.
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1. Reps. Geraldine Thompson, Kamia Brown Tracie Davis, Delores Hogan Johnson, Anika Omphroy, Dianne Hart, House Democratic Minority Leader Kionnne McGhee, Dotie Joseph, Barbara Watson, Byron Donalds, Wengay Newton, Ramon Alexander, Fentrice Driskell and James Bush III. 2. Sean Pittman, Sen. Oscar Braynon II, Ronald Bride. 3. Rep. Bruce Antone, Chair of the Florida Legislative Black Caucus. 4. Kionne McGhee, Melissa Newton, Florida A&M University Ambassador Student, Rep. Wengay Newton, Stacy McGhee, Rep. Dianne Hart. 5. Sen. Randolph Bracy, Senate Democratic Minority Leader Audrey Gibson, and Sen. Oscar Braynon II. 6. Rep. Kionnne McGhee and Jane Marks. 7. Rep. Fentrice Driskell. 8. Melissa Braynon, Sen. Oscar Braynon II, Mitch Rubin, Sen. Bobby Powell. 9. The mood was festive and fancy at the scholarship celebration. 10. Some of the scholarship winners lined up to celebrate during the gala.
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toasting florida politics
SOCIAL scene
Where
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cutting-edge technology
meet over three decades of real-World experience.
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toasting florida politics
SOCIAL scene
Red Dog, Blue Dog The Township bar in Tallahassee’s College Town was jumping at the sixth annual Red Dog, Blue Dog fundraiser supporting three local animal rescue organizations, the Animal Shelter Foundation, the Leon County Humane Society and Last Chance Rescue. Eight celebrity bartenders from The Process — four red, four blue — competed for tips and bragging rights. Slinging drinks for the red team were VISITFlorida CEO Dana Young, Sen. Joe Gruters, Rep. Colleen Burton, and Rep. Alex Andrade. Pouring for the blue team were Division of Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz, Sen. Gary Farmer, Sen. Jason Pizzo and Rep. Tracie Davis. The event raised $9,645 for the organizations and — for the first time — Team Blue won by $246.
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1. A crowd of patrons kept the eight celebrity bartenders busy as they hustled for tips to support animal rescue organizations. 2. From left, Rep. Colleen Burton, Sen. Jason Pizzo, Sen. Gary Farmer and Rep. Alex Andrade. 3. Florida Sen. Farmer 4. VISIT FLORIDA CEO Dana Young. 5. Rep. Tracie Davis.
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FOURTH FOURTH FLOOR>FILES Significant other? My wife of 25 years, Luana Children? Christian, 24, and Emma, 20 Grand kids? None so far. In 25 words or less, explain what you do. I’m a lawyer/lobbyist and help clients navigate Florida politics and government in order to maintain or adopt good policies. Without using the words Democrat, Independent or Republican, conservative or liberal, describe your political persuasion. I am a professional lobbyist and espouse my clients’ persuasions, but I guess personally I lean toward fiscal responsibility and personal freedom. If you have one, what is your motto? Work hard and be honest — it’s pretty hard to succeed in this line of work if you don’t do both. During your career, have you had a favorite pro bono client? I’ve been an avid surfer since I was about 8 years old growing up in Ormond Beach, and it was a joy to work with the Surfrider Foundation, a fantastic organization that fights for clean oceans and beach access — two things that, as a surfer, I certainly support. Three favorite charities. Ronald McDonald House, Surfrider Foundation, 4Ocean Any last-day-of-Session traditions? Finish my client reports … and go home to sleep. If you could have another lobbyist’s client list, it would be… Because MHD has such great clients with exceptional in-house staff, I don’t covet my neighbor’s clients. I know that sounds like the “pat” answer, but it really is true.
PHOTO: MaryBeth Tyson
Professional accomplishment of which you are most proud? It was a privilege to lead the effort to pass legislation guaranteeing full and affordable access to oral chemotherapy, which is much easier for cancer patients to handle. Before that, the cost of oral chemo was way out of whack as compared to intravenous chemotherapy. Another point of pride was helping to pass a ban on ocean dumping of human bio-waste by the socalled cruises to nowhere.
Lobbyists are often accused of wearing Gucci loafers; do you own a pair of Gucci loafers? If not, why not? No. For whatever reason I haven’t really considered Gucci. I like the look and fit of Allen Edmonds. Who is your favorite Florida Capitol Press Corps reporter and why? I couldn’t and wouldn’t want to try to single out any one reporter as a favorite. I have a tremendous regard for all of them, individually and as a group, for the work they do keeping us informed. Other than Florida Politics.com, your reading list includes… News Service of Florida and Twitter What swear word do you use most often? F@#$ What is your most treasured possession? Family The best hotel in Florida is… It don’t know if it’s the best, but I really like the Ritz on Amelia Island. You’ve just learned that you will be hosting a morning talk show about Florida politics. Who are the first four guests you’d invite to appear? Wow, there are so many possibilities and selecting the first four would be a real challenge. But I can tell you for sure that one of them would be Rep. Tom Leek. We grew up together, I was best man at his wedding, and he has quickly moved into the leadership ranks of the Legislature. His political future is bright, and he’s a great guy. Whoever else the guests are, I know Tom would keep things fun and interesting! Favorite movie? Any Clint Eastwood western When you pig out, what do you eat? Dark chocolate, Momo’s pizza, or Cape Cod original chips.
Doug Bell
If you could have dinner with a historical figure no longer living, who would it be? Teddy Roosevelt — that man was a true badass AND a dedicated environmentalist.
WORK HARD AND BE HONEST — IT’S PRETTY HARD TO SUCCEED IN THIS LINE OF WORK IF YOU DON’T DO BOTH.
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FOURTH FLOOR>FILES
In 25 words or less, explain what you do. Like my boss, Sean Pittman, I wear many hats. I am a practicing attorney, campaign consultant, and lobbyist. Without using the words Democrat, Independent or Republican, conservative or liberal, describe your political persuasion. I am a Christian who believes in equal rights, the recognition of systemic injustices and equitable remedies within the law, growth of wealth across socioeconomic statuses, fiscal restraint in government spending, and low taxes. If you have one, what is your motto? It always seems impossible until it’s done. During your career, have you had a favorite pro bono client? 100 Black Me Three favorite charities. Pace Center for Girls, Legal Services, Robert Woolfork Scholarship Foundation Any last-day-of-Session traditions? None yet, but this will be the year that I start. If you could have another lobbyist’s client list, it would be… Ron Book
Jasmyne Henderson
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Professional accomplishment of which you are most proud? Being sworn into the Florida Bar by my grandfather, Judge Emerson R. Thompson Jr., in the courtroom that is named after him in the Orange County Courthouse. He is one of my favorite people and it meant so much to have him there. That will forever be my favorite moment.
Lobbyists are often accused of wearing Gucci loafers; do you own a pair of Gucci loafers? If not, why not? I do not own Gucci loafers, but I do love a good Gucci bag. Who is your favorite Florida Capitol Press Corps reporter and why? Mary Ellen Klas for her thoroughness. Other than Florida Politics.com, your reading list includes… Politico, Miami Herald, and the New York Times What swear word do you use most often? All of them. I’m trying to break the habit by giving them up for Lent. What is your most treasured possession? Family photo albums The best hotel in Florida is… I don’t know if it’s the best but the lazy river at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes and the spa at the connecting Ritz Carlton are my favorite. You’ve just learned that you will be hosting a morning talk show about Florida politics. Who are the first four guests you’d invite to appear? Andrew Gillum, Perry Thurston, Bob Rommel, and Richard Corcoran. That would be one heck of a debate. Favorite movie? “Moulin Rouge” When you pig out, what do you eat? Steak, cheeseburgers, Carolina gold wings, and French fries. If you could have dinner with a historical figure no longer living, who would it be? Malcolm X
SHE WAS SWORN INTO THE FLORIDA BAR BY HER GRANDFATHER, JUDGE EMERSON R. THOMPSON JR., IN THE ORANGE COUNTY COURTROOM NAMED AFTER HIM.
PHOTO: MaryBeth Tyson
Significant other? Children? Grand kids? I am married to Ashton Henderson.
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FOURTH FLOOR>FILES NOT AFRAID TO ADMIT “THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA” IS A FAVORITE MOVIE. Significant other? Children? Grand kids? 10 months ago, I married a beautiful, sweet Cuban girl that my sister introduced me to. No kids – for now. In 25 words or less, explain what you do. People often use the word influence, but I like the word remind. I am a professional reminder. “Don’t forget this important policy/ stakeholders/constituent.” Without using the words Democrat, Independent or Republican, conservative or liberal, describe your political persuasion. Reasonable and realistic.
What swear word do you use most often? My mom is going to read this so… “I never swear!” What is your most treasured possession? My family. They are all irreplaceable.
Favorite charities. It has been catching a lot of heat recently, but the Boy Scouts of America is the best charitable organization in the world. It’s a game with a purpose; teaching boys how to be leaders in the community and beyond. I could be biased though. I’m an Eagle Scout.
The best hotel in Florida is… I have family throughout the state. So, I try not to stay in hotels but instead with them. The food is better. And besides the occasional chore, a much more relaxing environment.
If you could have another lobbyist’s client list, it would be… I try not to look at what others are doing and who they represent. I run my own race. I’ll see them at the top, when I get there.
PHOTO: MaryBeth Tyson
Other than Florida Politics.com, your reading list includes… It’s not a reading list per se, and I’m not pandering here, but every morning I listen to Sunrise, Florida Politics’s daily podcast, while I work out.
If you have one, what is your motto? It’s not what happens to you, it’s what you do about it.
Any last-day-of-Session traditions? My tradition: I do not watch those napkins — I mean handkerchiefs — drop. It’s so anticlimactic. I haven’t watched it since my first one in 2011.
Orlando Pryor
Who is your favorite Florida Capitol Press Corps reporter and why? Alexandra Glorioso. First, her battle [with breast cancer] and how she is handling it is impressive. Second, she’s a health care reporter. And a good one.
Professional accomplishment of which you are most proud? Passing the Agency for Health Care Administration’s Regulatory Reform bill. The Agency tried to pass that thing for years, and I, along with the awesome team at AHCA, passed a bill with some great sponsors, Denise Grimsley and Clay Yarborough. Lobbyists are often accused of wearing Gucci loafers; do you own a pair of Gucci loafers? If not, why not? Not at all. I’m frugal. You’ll see me in shoes from Amazon that I bought using Visa points.
You’ve just learned that you will be hosting a morning talk show about Florida politics. Who are the first four guests you’d invite to appear? That’s easy: Jim Horne, Adam Giery, Tara Reid and Nicholas Mortellaro. The best lobbying team in the business! Favorite movie. This is tough. Just one? I’ll pick two. “Hitch” and “The Devil Wears Prada.” That’s right. I wrote that in an article read by my peers. Come at me. When you pig out, what do you eat? Chipotle. Double Chicken Bowl. Guac. And vinaigrette. That’s my best life. If you could have dinner with a historical figure no longer living, who would it be? If you have ever read “Team of Rivals,” you would be hard pressed not to say Abraham Lincoln. He was a special leader during a special time. And, even though I knew what would happen, the ending was still tough.
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FOURTH FLOOR>FILES WHAT WE DO IS SIMILAR TO A TRAPEZE ARTIST.
In 25 words or less, explain what you do. What we do is similar to a trapeze artist. You have a goal that requires you to twist and turn your way through the air until you reach the person who will catch you. Without using the words Democrat, Independent or Republican, conservative or liberal, describe your political persuasion. I feel as if government should protect the basic needs of its citizens, with the least amount of intrusion into their personal lives. If you have one, what is your motto? One of my mentors, Darrick McGhee, would always say: “Don’t believe your own press.” I feel grounded enough to know that the person I am doesn’t have a correlation with what my job title is. Three favorite charities. Corey’s Kids, the Awesome Tallahassee Foundation, Tots and Trails Any last-day-of-Session traditions? I head to St. George Island after each Session. I love the beach, and it’s my favorite place to relax. If you could have another lobbyist’s client list, it would be… First, I need to say that I love my position at Florida Realtors. Honestly, I would not want another lobbyist’s client list, but if I could have another principal it would be Florida State University. I love FSU! I am a Tallahassee native with deep roots at the university. I would love to represent FSU in front of the Legislature. Professional accomplishment of which you are most proud? This is a tough one, as I have been given so many positive opportunities in my career. I would say that I am very proud of my time working with Darrick McGhee in the Executive Office of the Governor. I was just starting graduate school at FSU and working as a Policy Chief in the Office of Policy and Budget. Darrick hired me to be his Deputy Legislative Affairs Director. During those two Sessions, we carried the Governor’s legislative agenda and I graduated with my master’s degree along the way. I am forever grateful to Darrick for giving me the opportunity to work for him and for his continued friendship. Lobbyists are often accused of wearing Gucci loafers; do you own a pair of Gucci loafers? If not, why not? I do not. However, I do own a pair of Christian Louboutin high heels! Does that count? Who is your favorite Florida Capitol Press Corps reporter and why? Matt Dixon, because I enjoy his humor. 48 | INFLUENCE SPRING 2020
Other than Florida Politics.com, your reading list includes… Politico, News Service of Florida, the Washington Post. I also listen to the Preston Scott morning show every day. Whether I’m in Tallahassee or Austin, Texas – it’s a morning routine for me. What swear word do you use most often? So, those who know me are aware that I don’t swear around my boys. But, when I drop them off at school, I transition to using the “F” word … alot! I may even be at David Custin’s level some days. What is your most treasured possession? A set of pearls that my great-grandmother gave me. She would buy a new pearl for each birthday and Christmas as my gift. I received the full strand when I started undergrad at FSU. The best hotel in Florida is… Gasparilla Inn & Club. I enjoy the lighthouses and historic downtown Boca Grande. For a change of perspective take in the island from the surrounding waters by kayak or private charter cruise. You’ve just learned that you will be hosting a morning talk show about Florida politics. Who are the first four guests you’d invite to appear? McGhee, Bill Wilson, Tanya Cooper, and Jared Torres – these four are some of the hardest working Legislative Affairs Directors I have worked with in my career.
Danielle Scoggins
When you pig out, what do you eat? Pizza and cheesecake If you could have dinner with a historical figure no longer living, who would it be? Margaret Thatcher. She was such a powerful leader. She is the author of my favorite quote, “Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.” PHOTO: MaryBeth Tyson
Significant other? Children? Grandkids? I am blessed to have two boys, Preston and Peyton, who are both smart and athletic.
RECOGNIZING FLORIDA’S TOP LEGISLATORS ON SOCIAL MEDIA Session on Social takes an inside look at who drove social media conversation this session and recognizes the top 10 Florida legislators with the highest social media engagement. Digital advocacy builds grassroots support, influences policy and reaches people where they are to drive meaningful legislation. As the #1 public affairs agency in Florida, we applaud every legislator who amplifies their voice on social media as we highlight this year’s top 10. 1 REP. ANNA ESKAMANI
2 REP. CARLOS G. SMITH
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Impressions 47,764,715
4
3 SEN. ANNETTE TADDEO
#
#
@Annette_Taddeo
Tweets 592
Followers 10,116
Impressions 5,756,394
5 REP. DAN DALEY
#
#
6
@DanDaley
Tweets 366
Impressions 2,734,098
#
8
DISTRICT 36
9 SEN. ROB BRADLEY
#
@Rob_Bradley
10
Tweets 216
Impressions 1,234,985
SEN. JANET CRUZ @SenJanetCruz
DISTRICT 5
D
Tweets 193
REP. CHRIS LATVALA
Followers 5,769
Impressions 1,491,112
#
Followers 6,404
Impressions 2,054,240
DISTRICT 67
R
Tweets 174
Tweets 190
@ChrisLatvala
@SenMannyDiazJr
R
SEN. JEFF BRANDES
Followers 10,965
7 SEN. MANNY DIAZ JR.
Followers 8,661
Impressions 5,555,354
DISTRICT 24
R
#
R
Tweets 570
@JeffreyBrandes
DISTRICT 97
Followers 7,539
REP. SHEVRIN R. JONES DISTRICT 101
D
D
D
Impressions 11,676,861
@ShevrinJones
DISTRICT 40
Followers 9,889
Tweets 851
Impressions 1,197,005
All data calculated through Florida’s 2020 legislative session
DISTRICT 18
Followers 5,276
Tweets 161
Impressions 836,633
SPRING 2020 INFLUENCE | 49 themooreagency.com
In times like this we find ourselves surrounded by heroes: the everyday heroes, the heroes we never considered, and the ordinary people acting heroically. To all these heroes in our community, Becker would like to say thank you. You show us what it means to be fearless. BECKERCOVID19.COM Fearlessly Moving You Forward
Government Law & Lobbying
beckerlawyers.com 50 | INFLUENCE SPRING 2020
{ insiders’ ADVICE
Tips for Remote Interviews brad herold says simple fixes can improve sight and sound when you’re broadcasting from a home computer.
T
he coronavirus has disrupted our usual way of life for everyone in our country, and Florida politicos are no exception. I know there are a lot of people out there who are doing their best to socially distance by working from home and limiting in-person interaction. While this is good for the country, it has resulted in a massive uptick in the usage of FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, etc. For some of us, this is just calling and checking on how Grandma is doing, but for a lot of you, it’s local TV interviews, Facebook Live with worried constituents, or even post-Session job interviews for legislative staffers. I have watched a lot of these over the last week, and I’ve got to say, some of them are REALLY BAD. We need to collectively step up our game if we’re going to be doing this for the foreseeable future. With that in mind, I thought I’d share some best tips for how not to make these shots look like hostage videos that I’ve been sharing with our clients. CAMERA ANGLE Problem: Your laptop/iPad camera isn’t very good, so you have to put a little bit of work to make this better. The easiest fix is to make sure your camera is at or above eye level. If you let your computer just sit on your desk like usual, the camera will be shooting from the bottom up, and really only gives us a good look up your nose. It’s not a flattering angle for anyone and results in dark eyes and double chins, among other things. Solution: Prop your laptop up on some books or one of the Amazon boxes you’ve got laying around until the camera lens is at or slightly above eye level. It will instantly make a world of difference. Extra tip: If you’re using an iPad in portrait mode to film yourself, I sug-
gest turning it vertically, so the camera is above the screen and not to the right or left. This keeps you from looking like you’re looking off to the side while talking instead of looking straight at the camera lens. LIGHTING Problem: The most important thing that needs to be lit on-screen are your eyes. Most rooms are set up to light whatever you are looking at, not where you’re looking from. Your computer’s camera is set to adjust to expose your face correctly automatically. That means if your face isn’t the brightest thing in the shot, your face will either be too dark or too bright depending on the ambient lighting around you. More light is almost always better than less for this kind of stuff, just make sure it’s not behind you! Solution: Make sure the primary light source is in front of your face and behind the computer camera. Do not sit in front of a giant window, or significant light source. This will cause your face to be underexposed. If you’re a legislator expecting to do a lot of interviews, I’d recommend buying a cheap light from Amazon and using it just for interviews. Pro Tip: If you look closely at the lights around your house, they are mostly all an orange light source, sometimes called “soft white” or “tungsten.” This is a very different color “white” than the sunshine. If you’re in a room with a lot of lights, you need to make sure you’re not “mixing color temperatures,” which will result in bad skin tones. Think, the people with red faces you’ve seen in poorly lit TV commercials. SOUND Problem: You are giving an interview or Zoom meeting, and the other person asks you to get closer or complains that
it sounds like you’re talking through a tin can. There’s an old saying in film that “sound is more than half the picture.” If you don’t sound right or people can’t hear you, it won’t matter how good you look on camera. The problem is that your computer’s microphone is small and usually protected behind a piece of plastic or metal. It isn’t powerful enough to get good audio from. Solution: The most natural solution is just to sit closer to your computer screen and mic. Duh. But also, if you’re doing a lot of these videos, I would encourage you to get a small lavalier microphone that you can clip to your lapel. It will drastically improve the sound of your voice and other people’s ability to hear you talk. They plug in easily to your computer and usually won’t require extra software. You can find them on Amazon for less than $50. Pro Tip: If you do end up using a wired lavalier mic, take the extra 10 seconds to run the mic cord through your shirt. Nothing is more distracting than seeing a wire hanging from someone’s shirt and dangling around while they talk. That’s it! It’s that simple! You’re not going to win any cinematography Oscars, but if you follow these three tips, you’ll improve your image on camera incredibly. P.S. — You should already be doing the other things that help you on camera, like sitting up straight, using a fixed chair and not one with casters (so you don’t sway back and forth), and talking slowly and clearly so people can hear you. Brad Herold is Vice President at Something Else Strategies, a national political media firm.
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BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS DEVELOPING SOLUTIONS ACHIEVING RESULTS RSA is a full service consulting firm with expertise in areas of government & community affairs, strategic planning, fundraising & event planning, as well as media & public relations. Visit www.rsaconsultingllc.com.
52 | INFLUENCE SPRING 2020
{ insiders’ ADVICE
Weathering the Coronavirus Storm
ron sachs says tech keeps businesses running during social distancing, but communication is key with employees and clients.
E
very sector of Florida is drastically disrupted by the threat of the global coronavirus pandemic. New ways to function are boosted by the vital communications tools of nearly any public, private or non-profit sector organization. Virtue today is defined by isolated virtual working space. So long as a team has computers, phones and internet access, organizations can be effective and efficient. Technology alone will not ensure success. Communication is key to not just surviving, but even thriving in this darkest era with high stakes, no playbook and no end in sight. It requires steady-handed leadership, good instincts, strong controls, and a healthy dose of humanity. This crisis will leave us all transformed. Those who adapt and innovate could emerge from these uncharted waters stronger and more resilient – and poised for higher levels of achievement. Working from home requires new work patterns, policies, modes of communication and unprecedented flexibility. Resilient organizations have figured out how to still be highly productive in this difficult new reality. Old-school leaders can learn that they don’t need to see someone face-to-face to ensure that they’re working productively. But it’s still necessary to ensure the productivity and work product among all staff and teams.
In recent years, many of us have reconfigured our offices to allow for greater collaboration. Now, in a virtual office, we’ll have to depend so much more on technology to unite us, keep us connected and effective, leveraging collaboration tools like Google Docs, Slack, Zoom and others. Employees unaccustomed to working from home may benefit from these tips from a WFH veteran: • Set a start and end time for the workday and create boundaries • Don’t spend the day mixing in personal tasks • Get physically ready to shift into work mode – don’t just shuffle over the screen in your fuzzy slippers • Have a designated workspace that’s quiet and conducive to work. It’s the daily responsibility of leaders to rally the team, lighten the mood and inject some fun and constant support into a dark and scary time. Stay positive and help your team members find the blessings and the humor in every day. Be a trusted source of information. In an extended crisis like this, team members and clients will take their cues from the style and substance of the C suite execs. Don’t radiate stress. Provide regular updates, dispel rumors and misinformation, and if there’s bad news, make sure you’re the one to share it. Keep calm – and
trust that providing the facts and truth will always be the right path to follow. It’s vital to do a regular temperature check on your team’s mood, and connect people to counseling, financial advice and other resources as needed. Help solve problems – more than ever. It’s also a great time to show a little extra love, whether it’s providing staff vouchers for takeout meals or helping your team access things in short supply. We’re all in this together. By taking care of our employees, our customers and our community, we can strengthen bonds that will never be shaken. This challenging, extended moment in our lives should melt away any differences of politics, race, gender, geography, religion or other silos that regularly divide us. Whatever it costs to get through this time together is not nearly as important as what it saves: the ability to weather this historic invisible storm and come out from it united, stronger, prepared for anything that follows. Ron Sachs, a former print and broadcast journalist who served as senior communications counsel for two Florida Governors, is Founder & CEO of Tallahassee-based Sachs Media Group. His strategic advice and counsel — widely sought by executives in the public, private and nonprofit sector statewide and nationally — are particularly valued.
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{ insiders’ ADVICE
Campaigning in the era of the COVID-19
michael worley says with face-to-face methods on hold, modern technology is a low-cost way to reach and motivate voters. The following is adapted from an email that MDW Communications sent to clients earlier in March. After many requests to distribute that email, we are publishing a modified version of the letter here. ver the past month, political campaigning in our country has changed drastically. Candidates up and down the ballot are adapting to a world where rallies, door-todoor canvassing, and community meetand-greets are no longer viable options, for at least the foreseeable future. For candidates with small budgets who rely on these low-cost campaign methods, this time has been particularly difficult. But in the midst of this uncertainty for campaigns lies incredible opportunities to leverage modern, low-cost campaign techniques to reach voters while maintaining social distancing. Using campaign websites as coronavirus resource hubs Many candidates have already found success launching landing pages on their existing websites outlining a number of critical resources. These pages include
O
links to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization resource pages covering symptoms, quarantine procedures, social distancing best practices, and much more. They also include hotline numbers to local health departments, price gouging hotlines, and resources for managing stress/anxiety. Using email programs as crisis communication tools For incumbent candidates, leveraging their campaign email list as a rapid response tool can be particularly effective; sending emails that outline what their offices are doing to help mitigate the effects of the coronavirus crisis and sharing important resources. Many campaigns are temporarily moving away from aggressive digital fundraising and focusing on making sure voters and residents know what elected officials are doing to help. Crafting social media outreach plans Social media is perhaps the most powerful tool campaigns will have at their disposal. Smart campaigns are updating social media content strategies, placing a major focus on sharing coronavirus information,
updates about local policies and efforts, as well as positive and uplifting content that can bring our community together. Sharing relatable content showcasing ways that candidates are personally coping with this crisis sends a strong signal that we’re all in this together. For current elected officials, a smart tactic is to leverage social media to share and promote information about the steps they’re taking to bring relief to affected communities. Shifting to virtual organizing Candidates up-and-down the ballot understand the need to shift toward digital organizing during this unique period. So what exactly does that entail? Here is a list of actions campaigns are already taking: • Hosting digital/telephone town halls.Pivoting volunteer efforts to virtual phone banks. • Planning and promoting Facebook Live events. • Leveraging email, with customized landing pages, to help candidates trying to qualify by petition. • Creating rumor-control social media content to keep people calm and focused on the facts. • Crafting rapid response programs via email and paid social media promotion to get important information to residents quickly. • Shifting extra resources to peer-to peer SMS programs. Traditional canvassing will potentially not be a viable option for months, which will have a significant impact on campaigns and will require a reallocation of resources. This means creative use of direct mail, a significant investment in high-impact digital such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, an extra focus on persuasion-based email communications, and an increase in SMS/phone program spending. As fall approaches, vote-by-mail will likely surge as a preferred method of voting, especially in areas like South Florida where it’s already popular. Campaigns will need to encourage new vote-by-mail registrations, especially within communities that historically prefer to vote early. This will require extra investments in expanded direct mail targeting and increased digital ad budgets to maximize both the frequency of voter contact, as well as the overall reach of each individual contact program. Michael Worley is founder and President of MDW Communications. Since 2014, MDW has worked with nearly 140 successful political campaigns and advocacy efforts across the United States. They have been the recipient of 13 national awards for excellence in political direct mail since 2016 alone.
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F E AT U R E
Coronavirus
is not Kathleen
Passidomo’s
first crisis, only the most recent
Passidomo is no stranger to crisis. On the afternoon of Feb. 14, 2018, she was in Tallahassee, laying out her budget for public schools. As chair of a K-12 appropriations committee, she had been researching for months, including asking teachers and administrators to name their greatest need. She was surprised by their top answer: more mental health services. Kids with obvious problems were disrupting classes. 56 | INFLUENCE SPRING 2020
She was recommending more funding that would help schools detect mental health issues and connect students with help. She will never forget what happened next that Valentine’s Day. “Everybody’s phone started buzzing,” Passidomo said. “I didn’t know what was going on.” The text messages bore shocking news. Someone had shot up Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Seventeen students and teachers were dead, and another 17 were injured. The shooter was an expelled former student. The state responded with the $400 million Marjory Stoneman Douglas Safety Act, with Passidomo’s committee steering $69 million toward mental health initiatives, including access to counseling for every student. In the same Session, she also sponsored legislation that funnelled $6 million into the state’s early learning programs. Passidomo ran in 2010 for the state House, winning 73% of the vote. She joined the Senate in 2016 and has served as floor leader since 2018. She found a passion for education the same way she has championed affordable housing, ethics reforms, health care and the environment, by listening to her constituents and going where the facts lead her. “The issues of interest to me are people-related,” she said. “They’re not big hot-button issues or hot topics. When I go home on weekends, I always feel like I’ve spent a week here learning. It’s amazing, every day there’s something to learn.” One of her biggest projects actually began during the 2008 recession, before Passidomo even got into politics. The real estate crash had hit Collier County hard, erasing 14,000 construction jobs. Parents had to go as far away as Texas to find work, and a grimness hovered over the future. Borrowers defaulted on their mortgages. Foreclosure cases swelled past 300,000 statewide, with some lenders recklessly
PHOTO: MaryBeth Tyson
R
esponding to a crush of spring breakers, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez ordered the county’s public beaches and public parks closed on March 18. At the time, the nationwide coronavirus case count had reached 8,525. It would take just eight more days to pass 100,000. Sen. Kathleen Passidomo watched the developments that weekend with interest. Where would those vacationers, who had already shown themselves oblivious to the danger, go next? Across the state, it turns out, starting with Naples, where Passidomo has lived since the late 1970s. By March 21, a Sunday, the beaches were mobbed. “In 40 years, I have never seen the beaches so crowded,” Passidomo said. Local authorities responded with a shutdown. “And everybody went to the Collier County beaches, or the Fort Myers beaches,” Passidomo said. The lesson, she believes: “You can’t just do an order that affects a small part of the region. You have to do the whole region.” At the same time, the Senator defends Gov. Ron DeSantis against critics who want him to place the entire state on lockdown, possibly crippling small businesses.
by andrew meacham
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submitting “robo-signed” foreclosure documents the signatories had barely looked at. “Banks at that time were taking loan documents and shredding them,” Passidomo said. “They were trying to foreclose on copies of copies.” Collier was president of the Collier County Bar Association then, which had put together a brainstorming group to figure out why so many were losing their properties. “And we quickly learned that Florida law regarding foreclosures was totally outdated, it didn’t work,” she said. “It wasn’t fair to either the borrowers or the lenders.” In 2010, the same year her daughter left for college, she ran to represent the 76th District (now the 106th District), which covers Naples and Marco Island. For the next three years, she worked on legislation that would be fair to both sides. The result, the Fair Foreclosure Act of 2013, toughened requirements for lenders to prove their case for foreclosure and for borrowers to prove their ability to pay. “I didn’t want it to be a bankers’ bill,” Passidomo said “But I also didn’t want it just to be a borrowers’ bill. It had to be something that actually worked, and that’s why it took so long.” Speeding up foreclosures eased the backlog and freed up capital, Passidomo said. “Of course, the economy is booming right now and people have forgotten what that was like. But I haven’t, and don’t want to see that happen again.” She grew up in New Jersey, the daughter of an ophthalmologist and a nurse. From her website: “From a very young age, I was taught that the keys to
58 | INFLUENCE SPRING 2020
PHOTO: MaryBeth Tyson
“From a very young age, I was taught that the keys to success are working hard and giving back to my community, and my parents instilled upon me that the most important assets I would ever have are my reputation and integrity.”
success are working hard and giving back to my community, and my parents instilled upon me that the most important assets I would ever have are my reputation and integrity.” After moving to Naples in 1979 with her husband, John, Passidomo juggled roles of real estate lawyer and wife and mother to three daughters. She would practice law for 35 years, always trying to solve the latest puzzle. Her first inklings about running for office came while doing pro bono work for nonprofit organizations. “There was always a state component,” she said. A lot of people would say ‘You know, if the state would do X, it would make it easier to do Y.’” Then there were the unwritten rules. Her first Session in the Legislature, Passidomo helped co-found Maggie’s List, a political action committee for conservative women. “I remember when I first started practicing law there was a good old boys club and there still is, in some ways. But I feel like my colleagues respect me. Otherwise they wouldn’t support me to be their President.” Republicans have chosen Passidomo to be Senate President for the 2023 and 2024 Legislative Sessions, if the party retains the majority. She’ll remain visible in the Senate, if all goes well, until 2026 when term limits kick in for her. In the meantime, there is much work to do. The top priority, Passidomo said, is “protecting the most vulnerable among us.”
That includes the numerous seniors in the 28th District, which encompasses part of Collier, Hendry and Lee counties, whose need for emergency care was high before the pandemic. Medical resources have so far proved adequate, she said. But with overcrowding in some states and an expected peak of the virus in mid-April, how long will that stability hold? “People have heart attacks, people get in auto accidents, people break a leg or whatever,” she said. “They’re going to need medical care. Where are they going to go? They’re going to move to a community where there is more capacity. So we have to figure out, how do we manage that on a statewide level?” She will tackle the challenges the same way she always has — with voluminous study, countless meetings and careful negotiations with colleagues. “Those little initiatives that we take, and the discussions that we have, produce common sense solutions rather than onesize-fits all,” she said. Her colleagues feel the same way, regardless of party. “There’s no political rhetoric going on down here right now,” Passidomo said. “I know what’s going on in Washington, but not when it gets in the trenches where we are in Southwest Florida, and, I believe, in every community around the state. “When you really talk to the people who are working in it, they’re just concerned about the product.”
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Good While It Lasts Winners From a Legislative Session before coronavirus came to town
Everyone loves a winner. That’s why we’re doing something different at INFLUENCE Magazine. Instead of presenting you with a list of winners and losers, we’re focusing only on the winners. We’re not saying there weren’t any losers this year, but in these turbulent times why should we knock someone for trying and failing, regardless of how the epic the fail. Here’s to the state workers and dietitians, the budget writers and lobbyists, the advocates and the agitators. The state of Florida salutes you — even if you couldn’t finish the 2020 Legislative Session on time.
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F E AT U R E
2020 Session
The Biggest Winners Show us the money
For the past decade, housing advocates called on legislators to fully fund the Sadowski Affordable Housing Trust Fund. They made calls, sent letter and pleaded with the Legislature to make money available for affordable housing. And every year, they were left disappointed. Until 2020. For the first time in about 10 years, the Florida Legislature will not sweep the affordable housing trust funds. Instead, they’ll set aside $370 million for affordable housing throughout the state. Not only is it a big win for Floridians who are more in need of safe and affordable housing than ever, but it’s also a big win for our local economies. It’s estimated this funding will create more than 30,000 jobs
and generate more than $4.4 billion in economic impact in the state’s Sadowski Coalition cities. The Sadowski Coalition celebrated the news. “The Governor and the Florida Legislature have shown enormous leadership this year by appropriating all the housing trust fund monies for housing. This is particularly important in light of the COVID-19 emergency. Using housing trust funds for housing has the greatest positive economic benefit for the state,” said Jaimie Ross, facilitator of the coalition. “Using all the housing trust funds for housing should be the new normal now. Housing Florida’s workforce, seniors and special needs populations living on fixed incomes is critical. And with the Governor’s Disaster Declaration, these funds can also be used to address the exacerba-
tion of the housing crisis due to job loss caused by this health crisis. We applaud the Governor and the Florida Legislature.” Now the big question is, will lawmakers make the same decision in 2021? We sure hope so.
“The Year of the Nurse”
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared 2020 the “Year of the Nurse,” and nowhere was that more evident than the Florida Legislature. There was the time the “doctor of the day” in the Florida House was really the “Nurse Practitioner of the Day.” There was the abundance of white lab coats and nurse practitioners walking the halls of the Capitol. And of course, there was the legislation that expanded scope of practice. Sponsored by Rep. Cary Pigman and Sen. Ben Albritton, the legislation allows advanced practice registered nurses to practice advanced or specialized nursing without physician supervision. It also allows them to act as a patient’s primary care provider, provide a signature or certification that is currently required to be provided by a physician, certify cause of death, and sign death certificates. The legislation – which overwhelmingly cleared the House and Senate – is a significant step toward expanding access to health care, especially in underserved areas.
Give ‘em a boost
Rep. Cary Pigman, along with Sen. Ben Albritton, sponsored legislation to expand the practices available to RNs and APRNs without physician supervision. Photo: Colin Hackley 62 | INFLUENCE SPRING 2020
Call it election year politics. If that’s what it takes to get state workers a salary bump, we don’t care. Florida will give state workers a 3%, across the board wage increase, boosting salaries for thousands of employees across the state. The raise comes after state workers have been neglected in the state budget year-after-year. In fact, in the past 12 years, state workers have received a raise only twice. The raises wouldn’t have been possible without the support of a wide range of legislators, including Sen. Bill Montford, a Tallahassee Democrat and long-time advocate for state workers. A tip of the hat also goes to AFSCME, led by longtime political director Jacqui Carmona, who took a bipartisan approach to raises for state workers.
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F E AT U R E
2020 Session
The Winners Woman on top
It’s not easy to be the only statewide elected Democrat, but Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried once again proved she could hang in the GOP boys club. When a House committee OK’d a proposal to shift Office of Energy oversight from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Fried fought back, calling the move a partisan power grab. That was a bold move for a Cabinet member who has tried to put state before party. Fried kept it up throughout Session, explaining to lawmakers that since the agency was relocated to DACS in 2011, it thrived. And that approach — combined with the full weight of the Democratic caucus behind her — worked. The Senate did not pursue the change, and the final budget negotiated between Sen. Rob Bradley and Rep. Travis Cummings did not include the controversial reorganization. But that isn’t the only reason Fried deserves a fist bump. In the waning days of the 2020 Session, as Florida laid out an action plan to combat the spread of COVID-19, Fried announced the state’s Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness would continue to provide meals for students displaced from the classroom because of the virus. Look for Fried to continue to play a big role in 2020 — and beyond. With the presidential election just around the corner, Fried will undoubtedly serve as a top Florida surrogate for the Democratic nominee.
Vape no more
Florida is working to curb teenage vaping, and parents across the state have Attorney General Ashley Moody to thank for that. Moody took swift action after a fact-finding mission this summer, launching a teen-vaping investigation involving 20 companies and leading the multi-state investigation into JUUL. But that wasn’t enough for Moody, now in her second year as Attorney General. She also began working with lawmakers to craft legislation to curb the youth vaping epidemic. Her campaign worked.
64 | INFLUENCE SPRING 2020
After Attorney General Ashley Moody raised the alarm about teen vaping, lawmakers passed legislation that increases the minimum age to purchase tobacco products and ban flavored nicotine products Photo by: Mary Beth Tyson Legislation – sponsored by Sens. David Simmons and Anitere Flores and Rep. Jackie Toledo – is now headed to the Governor for his approval. The bill increases the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21 and prohibits the sale of flavored nicotine products. We agree with Moody, this bill is necessary “to stop underage vaping and protect our children.”
Call her Madam President
It had the potential to be a legislative distraction, but the battle to rule the Florida Senate in 2022-24 was anything but. In November, Majority Leader Kathleen Passidomo, a Naples Republican, secured enough votes to become the Senate President in 2022 (assuming Republicans keep the upper chamber). The announcement came after a year-long campaign against Sen. Travis Hutson, a St. Augustine Republican. But the battle for the presidency was far from the knock-down, drag-out fight we’re seeing play out on the na-
tional stage. Instead, the two ended the race on good terms, with Hutson saying they agreed she would be “the best one to lead the chamber going forward.” All he asked was that she treat everyone the same and let Senators “work together for a common cause.” It’s easy to see how a potentially contentious race took a cordial turn. Passidomo is one of the most well-liked Senators in the chamber. We look forward to calling her Madam President very soon.
The chairs have it
They’re the guys who everyone wants to know — and this year, Sen. Bradley and Rep. Cummings had their work cut out for them. While early estimates showed the state could be seeing less revenue in fiscal 2020-21, a beginning of Session bump gave the House and Senate appropriations chairs something to be thankful for. The two men worked closely within their respective chambers to draft thoughtful budgets and worked
House in investigating Chinese payments to researchers, colleges and universities. If this year was any indication, the future is bright for this rising Speaker.
Credit where credit is due
We didn’t hear a lot about the Senate Democratic leader-designate, and that’s a good thing. The talk heading into 2020 was whether Gary Farmer was up to the task. His fundraising efforts for the party’s Senate campaign operation had failed to impress and serious candidates for competitive Senate seats had failed to materialize. Questions about his personal life only amplified concerns. But once the Session actually began, it became clear that the Fort Lauderdale Democrat was settling into his role by managing to do what all good leaders do — let his members take the lead. In this space, we have been often critical of the Broward Senator but not this year. For Democrats, we know many are hoping that style continues and is translated into a few heretofore elusive electoral victories and with reapportionment right around the corner, possibly a flip in the chamber long-dominated by the GOP.
Points for the point man
From the opening day festivities with Gov. Ron DeSantis, shown here, House Speaker Designate Chris Sprowls, showed leadership in 2020 on a variety of issues important to Floridians. Photo by: Mary Beth Tyson quickly to adjust them to battle the spread of COVID-19. It’s clear this pair of legislators are workhorses, so we’ll forgive them this one time for not landing the plane on time. We can say for sure: The Legislature won’t be the same without them in 2021.
Speaker rising
Sure, it may seem like low-hanging fruit, but we’re calling it: House Speaker-Designate Chris Sprowls had a very good, nay, excellent, year. Remember that at-home DNA test you got as a stocking stuffer? Thanks to Sprowls, your results won’t be used against you. The Palm Harbor Republican spearheaded the effort to prohibit life insurers
and long-term care insurers from canceling, limiting or denying coverage based on genetic information. With an assist from Sen. Kelli Stargel in the Senate, Sprowls persuaded his colleagues to approve legislation to “close a major loophole that threatened to expose private DNA data to life, long-term care and disability insurers.” The legislation is not only a major victory for Floridians and consumers, but it is also likely to make the Sunshine State a model for ensuring genetic information is kept private and can’t be used against consumers. And that’s definitely a place we want to be. But our privacy wasn’t the only thing Sprowls was protecting. He helped push through “Jordan’s Law,” which further protects Florida’s children, and led the
Rep. Alex Andrade, a freshman Republican, was the House point man for some of the highest profile issues of Session: alimony reform, pharmacy benefit managers and transportation. He was also the driving force behind HB 81, which will go down as his biggest victory for the 2020 Legislative Session. The bill, which is ready for the Governor’s signature, will expand the authority of public schools to bill Medicaid for public health issues for their students. Only about 15% of students meet the individualized education plan or finding of disability to meet current requirements. The change could pull down additional federal dollars for mental health, speech pathology and physical therapy in public schools. Did all of his bills pass? No. But all of them were heard and had a fair shot, which is more than can be said for most. As a successful lawyer and former gubernatorial fellow, Andrade entered his first term in a full sprint. He’s one to watch and will likely be on the shortlist for House leadership in the coming years. SPRING 2020 INFLUENCE | 65
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Legacy-maker
2020 Session
This year, the Legislature finally passed a bill outlawing the import and export of shark fins in Florida. Shark finning — the practice of removing the fin and tossing the shark — is already banned in the state, but advocates of the bill say as long as fins can be bought and sold in Florida, the inhumane practice will continue. Coconut Creek Rep. Kristin Jacobs was instrumental in making sure the pleas of conservation activists were heard and led the effort by again sponsoring the House version of the bill in 2020. For her efforts, lawmakers passed an amendment naming the law the “Kristin Jacobs Ocean Conservation Act.” While the legislative win was significant, Jacobs didn’t hog the limelight — her humbleness shone through in her willingness to share the credit with others. She thanked House Speaker José Oliva and Rep. Toby Overdorf for getting it through its last hurdles. She credited Hutson for sponsoring the Senate companion. She also attributed the shift in the tide to the lobbying efforts of organizations such as Shark Allies and the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation. But Jacobs’ priority bill was one small part of an impactful 2020 Session. Even more impressive was the Coconut Creek Democrat’s tireless dedication to her constituents, whom she is willing to go to bat for from a hospital bed — literally. She delivered much to the people in her Broward County district while enduring a grueling battle with cancer. Imagine if we could all have a representative with that kind of work ethic.
Affairs of the state
No one said being the chairman of the House State Affairs Committee was sexy. But Chairman Blaise Ingoglia made it look good this Session. Ingoglia clearly demonstrated that staunch conservatism and innovative policy advancement can go hand-inhand. His time in the chair this Session led to transformative water quality legislation and helped pave the way for electric vehicle infrastructure in the Sunshine State. The former chairman of the Florida GOP is just hitting his stride. Look for the Spring Hill Republican to take on more transformational legislation in his 66 | INFLUENCE SPRING 2020
While the House State Affairs Committee isn't always in the headlines, Chairman Blaise Ingoglia (top) shepherded important legislation through the process in 2020. Sen. Jeff Brandes (bottom) was able to fend off a push to place limits on the amount of THC available in medical marijuana.Photos by: Colin Hackley final two years in office, leaving a lasting mark on Florida.
No stinkin’ caps
The House keeps putting out trial balloons about capping THC in smokable marijuana. As ever, the 2020 push went over like a lead zeppelin. There is little logic behind the policy. For medical marijuana patients who need THC, limiting the concentration of the psychoactive chemical simply forces them to smoke more. It’s no different than chopping a Tylenol in half — the phrase isn’t “take four and call me in the morning.” Still, Rep. Ray Rodrigues resurrected the idea for 2020 and was met with fierce opposition in the Senate. The effort to defeat the cap was spearheaded by Sen. Jeff Brandes, who knew it
was coming the moment Oliva suggested it was a “priority,” arguing new super-strains in Europe produce “schizophrenic results, especially in young, developing brains.” There was a sliver of support in the Senate. Sen. Gayle Harrell, the Stuart Republican who chairs the Health Policy committee, filed language that would grant Oliva’s wish. But the St. Petersburg Republican, backed up by pro-cannabis veterans’ groups, stood firm: No cap. Especially not through an amendment introduced on “day fifty-something” of the Legislative Session. He won. And veterans — and all medical marijuana patients — were granted a reprieve from the Legislature interfering in their doctors’ orders, for at least another year.
Leroy Collins Institute said it believes the CRC is “an institution worth saving,” it also said there were issues to iron out before the next time the gang meets.
Go outside
Florida’s State Parks, truly an underestimated gem in our state, turned 85 this year. A birthday isn’t a birthday without presents, and our parks unwrapped some big ones. A few months ago, the National Recreation and Parks Association awarded them another Gold Medal Award, making Florida the only state to win more than one of the biennial awards since 1997. The trophy case now includes four Gold Medals in all.
Now, the budget has landed, and the Legislature put Division of Recreation and Parks Director Eric Draper in a position to ensure the state park system becomes the first state to win the award yet again. The budget includes $37 million to fund state park facility improvements — $10 million more than the current year’s budget. It’s an investment that’s sure to pay dividends, too. Last year, state parks and trails had 28 million visitors, generating $2.6 billion in economic benefit and supporting more than 37,000 jobs. They also collected $176 million in state sales tax.
Drive on, my friend
Miami drivers, rejoice! Congestion on the Palmetto Expressway could soon be a thing of the past, and drivers have Sen. Manny Diaz Jr. and Rep. Bryan Avila to thank for it. The pair of Miami lawmakers filed legislation to prohibit the Florida Department of Transportation from operating express lanes or imposing tolls on State Road 826, a.k.a. the Palmetto Expressway. The proposal also called on FDOT to remove all existing express lanes and tolls from the road. But not all change comes from legislation. In February, FDOT announced it was taking steps to reduce congestion on the roadway. The state agency said it worked closely with legislative leaders to identify solutions, which include modified access points and revised lane configurations throughout the corridor. Officials also said they were working to make the express lanes free for at least a year.
Still standing
The Constitutional Revision Commission is here to stay – for now. State lawmakers had their sights set on abolishing the commission, which meets once every 20 years to revise the state’s constitution after a host of bundled constitutional amendments were approved in 2018. But as the 2020 Session came to a close, so did their efforts. This likely won’t be the end of the conversation. For instance: While the
Manny Diaz, Jr. (top left) teamed with Rep. Bryan Avila to create legislation relating to to the South Florida's Palmetto Expressway. Photo: Colin Hackley Savannas Preserve is just one of Florida's 175 state parks that will benefit from a $10 million budget boost approved in the 2020 Session. Photo: Peter W. Cross for VISIT Florida
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2020 Session Props to Prosperity
Call them the guiding force behind the issues that drive the Legislative Session. Americans For Prosperity-Florida had its hand in some of the biggest ticket issues during the 2020 Session. Want to expand scope of practice? AFP-FL is there for you. Think the state’s occupational licensing needs reformed? AFP-FL has your back. Expansion of Florida’s school choice program? Yup, they were in on that too. The Florida arm of the national grassroots organization continues to show its strength, proving year-after-year they’re a force not to be messed with. Look out 2021. AFP-FL has its eyes on you.
New College/Florida Poly
After attempts to defund and disband VISIT FLORIDA, the tourism promotion bureau lives on, in part because of the efforts of CEO Dana Young, a former state legislator. Photo: Peter W. Cross and Patrick Farrell for VISIT FLORIDA
All rise
Florida’s court system is expanding. And that’s a good thing. The Legislature approved a measure that would create 10 new judgeships in the state. The bill establishes six new county court judges, four in Hillsborough, one each in Lee and Orange, and four new circuit court judges, two in the 9th Judicial Circuit and one each in the 1st Judicial and 14th Judicial. The legislation, which is now headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis, tracks with a request from the Florida Supreme Court in November. The state’s high court identified several factors, including the availability of judges and caseload trends, before making the recommendation. Sen. Bradley commended the decision, calling it “long overdue.” Money to pay for the new positions will be included in the fiscal 2020-21 budget.
Stayin’ alive
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After a Session’s worth of handwringing about the fate of VISIT FLORIDA, the Florida House agreed to set aside $50 million for the statewide tourism marketing agency in the upcoming fiscal year. That’s a big win, but here’s an even bigger one: A bill to extend the life of VISIT FLORIDA, that languished for months without a House hearing, was eventually approved. While the lower chamber had a bit of agita about extending it for eight years, lawmakers did agree to keep the agency in place for three years. A huge kudo goes to VISIT FLORIDA CEO Dana Young. The former state Legislator worked her magic behind the scenes, meeting with key players and showing the value of VISIT FLORIDA, especially when the sun isn’t shining as brightly. With coronavirus ravaging the state, especially the tourism industry, Young and Co. have their work cut out for them. But at least the industry’s biggest cheerleader isn’t going dark in when it’s needed most.
The House dropped a bombshell midway through the Legislative Session. The plan: merging Florida Poly and New College into the University of Florida and Florida State University. Rep. Randy Fine, the chief proponent of the plan, pitched it as a way to save money. He contended that the number of graduates produced by small schools wasn’t worth the cost to taxpayers and argued that folding them into larger schools would reduce overhead and bring costs down. Though Senate President Bill Galvano and other top lawmakers indicated cautious support for the plan, it was derided by politicians — on both sides of the aisle and at both the state and federal levels — whose districts included those schools’ campuses. New College and Florida Poly did the rounds, making their case for continued independence. Their efforts convinced enough lawmakers, including Lakeland’s Stargel and Sarasota Sen. Joe Gruters, to kill the plan. That’ll keep them around for now, but while the bill was defeated, the idea wasn’t, meaning both schools will need to brush up on their talking points for next Session to stave off another merger effort.
Gold for silver hairs
You can call it a big win for our senior population. The Coalition for Silver Solutions created a team of rivals to advocate for change in the state’s long-term care system. The coalition — which included AARP, the Florida Health Care Association, LeadingAge Florida and 1199SEIU United
Healthcare Workers East – worked with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration and the Department of Elder Affairs to address the challenges families and caregivers are facing. The result? Meaningful action to address funding for home and community-based care and streamlining the process to assist consumers with accessing services. And their successes wouldn’t be possible without a little help from their legislative friends. Kudos to Rep. Jennifer Webb and Sen. Albritton for managing the sometimes tense coalition to good outcomes.
It’s electric
Some say “it’s not easy being green,” but that was before the Legislature OK’d a bill that could make electric vehicles more viable for the average Floridian. A key limiting factor to the growth of electric vehicles is charging options. If a driver can’t get from point A to point B without running out of juice, there’s little point in considering an electric vehicle. SB 7018, carried through the Senate by Thonotosassa Republican Sen. Tom Lee, would address the problem by directing the Florida Department of Transportation to develop and recommend a plan for the development of electric vehicle charging station infrastructure along the State Highway System. “What this bill tries to start is the conversation around is how do we make sure there’s enough charging infrastructure so that if someone wants to drive from Tampa to Tallahassee, there’s enough charging infrastructure there,” Lee said. The Governor has made expanding the charging grid a priority — last year he announced charging stations would be available or under construction at all Florida Turnpike service plazas by New Year’s 2020 — and SB 7018 is one of his priorities as well. It also has a fan in Elon Musk, the entrepreneur behind Tesla, who commended the Legislature for passing the bill.
Keep on truckin’
Electric vehicle charging stations weren’t the only feature of SB 7018. The bill would also make our roads safer for truckers and drivers alike. As the country turns to online retailers like Amazon more and more for their goods, our roadways are seeing more and more trucks on the highway, but a feder-
Legislation guided by Sen. Tom Lee will be key in creating an electric charging station infrastructure in Florida. Photo: Colin Hackley al hours of service rule forces truckers to pull over and rest. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rule was drafted with the best of intentions: preventing drowsy truckers from veering into neighboring lanes. But it also brought about some new dangers, such as big rigs parked along onramps or in ill-equipped rest stops. This bill will help alleviate the problem. A provision championed by FDOT Secretary Kevin Thibault and the Florida Trucking Association will provide for the creation of emergency staging areas for evacuations. The facilities would kill two birds with one stone. When they’re not being used for emergency response, they’ll be purposed for commercial motor vehicle parking — a major win for truckers and everyone else on the highway.
No more surprises
The Florida Association of Health Plans did yeomen’s work during the 2020 Legislative Session, ending a longheld balance billing practice by air ambu-
lance companies. The statewide association supported legislation sponsored by Rep. Jayer Williamson and Sen. Diaz that prohibited air ambulance service providers from balance billing its patients. It called on commercial health insurers and HMOs to provide reasonable reimbursement to air ambulance service for emergency and non-emergency transport. It also specified that payment in full of co-pays, coinsurance and deductibles constitutes the full financial obligation of patient services. Current rules allow air ambulance providers to lump the balance from the underpaid trips together and split them across the handful of insured patients who needed a helicopter ride to the hospital, a common practice in the health care industry known as cost shifting. That has resulted in bills up to $40,000 for some Floridians. That’s now coming to an end, thankfully. “This is a huge step forward for Florida families that will protect them against unfair, surprise medical bills, especial-
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2020 Session ly when they are vulnerable following a catastrophic accident or medical event,” said Audrey Brown Bridges, the President and CEO of the Florida Association of Health Plans.
Next year, Florida Competes
Lawmakers didn’t pass the Florida Competitive Workforce Act this year, but Florida Competes has high hopes for the future. FCWA is an addition to Florida discrimination laws that simply says you can’t deny employment or public housing and accommodations to LGBTQ individuals. Its chances in 2020 weren’t helped by Oliva, who said he didn’t think such reforms are needed. Why is Florida Competes still a winner then? Simply put, there’s now a critical mass of support in the Legislature. Greater numbers of lawmakers sign on as co-sponsors to the measure every year. Combine that with backing from Florida’s major employers, small businesses, and the FCWA’s high support in most polls and it’s an inevitability. This time, saying “maybe next year” isn’t a dismissal, but something to look forward to.
Fracking fizzles out
Remember all the hullabaloo about passing a fracking ban this year? Yeah, neither do we. Bills to ban fracking in Florida died during the 2020 Legislative Session, marking another year where a one-time topic du jour was pushed to the background. While a bill by Sen. Bill Montford cleared the Environmental and Natural Resources Committee on a 5-0 vote, it never progressed any further. Meanwhile, a House bill sponsored by Rep. Heather Fitzenhagennever even got a hearing. So why didn’t anything happen this year? Perhaps it’s because fracking isn’t happening in the state of Florida. Or maybe it’s because Gov. DeSantis has said he opposes fracking, which means it’s unlikely the Florida Department of Environmental Protection will approve a permit. Let’s also give credit to the Florida Petroleum Council, which has worked behind the scenes on the issue for several years. No fracking ban is good for business, regardless of whether permits are getting approved
In 2020, Florida sheriffs were able to stymie criminal justice reform supported by legislators like Sen. Randolph Bracy. Photo: Colin Hackley
This one goes to the Sheriffs
The support was there, but then the sheriffs rode into town. With champions like Brandes and Sen. Randolph Bracy at the helm, some thought this could be the year criminal justice reform would have legs in the Legislature. As the 2020 Legislative Session neared its conclusion, Senators pushed bills that would re-examine how courts handled drug trafficking offenses, the length of mandatory minimum sentences and how to improve programs that help prisoners make a smoother transition. But some of those same bills never even got a hearing in the House, where they languished in subcommittees that hadn’t met in weeks. The reason? We can chalk it up to behind-the-scenes (or maybe not so behindthe-scenes) work of the Florida Sheriffs Association. Led by Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualteri, the statewide organization pushed hard to ensure the criminal justice
system remained unchanged, keeping Floridians safe along the way.
A modern take
Florida Senior Living Association led the successful effort to pass the assisted living “modernization” bill. HB 767 by Rep. Mike Grant brings about some commonsense — yet sorely needed — reforms. The legislation allows assisted living facility and memory care unit residents to use assistive devices such as wearables, transfer aids, and other technologies that seniors who live in their own homes have been using for years. FSLA, with an assist from the team at The Southern Group, says allowing such devices will increase safety and security at ALFs while also reducing on-thejob injuries among direct care workers, who experience one of the highest occupational injury rates in the country. Seniors are winners, too, as some of the equipment that got the green light, SPRING 2020 INFLUENCE | 71
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2020 Session
such as arthritis supports and telehealth devices, will help keep them mobile and independent. As FSLA President Gail Matillo puts it: “Whenever we can modernize regulations to make communities safer, not only for residents but also for the health care workers, we’ve made excellent progress for our industry and our state.” The bill cleared all of its House stops with unanimous support. Thanks to Sen. Harrell’s effort on the companion (SB 402), it earned a unanimous Senate vote and a trip to the Governor’s desk with ease.
Clean bill only
Here’s a lesson in persistence. In 2018, the Florida chapter of the National Waste and Recycling Association supported legislation tweaking residential recycling contracts. Like any good bill dealing with local government, it got off to a rocky start – but all sides were able to compromise and work together. Then came the amendment dealing with deep well injections and then-Gov. Rick Scott’s veto pen.
The bill was filed again in 2019, and this time the amendment had to do with plastic straws. Out came DeSantis’ veto pen. Fast forward to 2020, when Overdorf and Sen. Keith Perry filed the same bill. As the 2020 Legislative Session chugged along, the bill inched closer to the finish line. It unanimously cleared both Chambers and is now headed to DeSantis. Here’s hoping his veto pen stays in the drawer this year.
TaxWatch triumphs
Florida TaxWatch has long been known as a player in the capital city, and this year, the TaxWatch team once again proved they’re a force to be reckoned with. The independent government watchdog celebrated victories on multiple fronts. An advocate for the smart use of tax dollars, the organization advocated for the continuation of VISIT FLORIDA. Their pitch was critical to securing the continuation – and full funding – for the state’s tourism marketing agency. The organization also pushed for the
state to fully fund the state’s affordable housing trust funds, and advocated for increased funding for water quality and Everglades restoration. But TaxWatch didn’t just shepherd things through the Legislature. The team worked diligently to stop legislation they saw as detrimental to the community. Case in point: The TaxWatch team came out in opposition to a House-backed proposal to merge Florida Polytechnic University with the University of Florida and New College with Florida State University. With so many successes under TaxWatch’s belt during the 2020 Legislative Session, we can’t wait to see what they do with their turkey list.
Radio waves
The Legislature is taking some action to make sure the Department of Management Services finally gets it right on an upgraded Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System. After years of legal drama and a contract that fell through, lawmakers are directing DMS to do a new study to suss out what radio technologies would best serve those who serve us. A key component: the tech has to be open-source, and not proprietary. That means the problems that plagued the nextgen radio system’s development to this point won’t be there in the future, because any competent vendor could step in and take over in the event a contract goes bad. Police may have to wait a bit longer to get their new walkies, but when they do, they can rest assured they’ll be top-notch.
Staving off preemption
Here's hoping the third time's a charm for a "clean" residential recycling bill championed by Sen. Keith Perry and others. Photo: Colin Hackley
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Cities and counties are used to getting the short shrift in the Legislature. Pre-emption bills run rampant, but local governments were once again able to stop a measure that would prohibit them from regulating vacation rentals. The proposed legislation, sponsored by Sen. Diaz, would have preempted the regulation of vacation rentals to the state. The legislation allowed local regulation, so long as it applied to all properties, including owner-occupied homes. These provisions essentially stripped local governments of home rule over the vacation rentals. Local governments were able to stave off the changes thanks in part to the support of the Florida League of Cities and
the Florida Association of Counties, both of which opposed the legislation. They also got an assist from DeSantis, who indicated he supported local regulation.
Healthy carveout
Give nutritionists some credit: They were successful in slimming down a wide-ranging deregulation bill to ensure they weren’t included. While lawmakers were hailed for their work to try and deregulate several industries, groups representing the state’s nutritionists and dietitians fought back against attempts to deregulate. Among other things, they expressed concern about deregulating dietitians and nutritionists who work with people in health care facilities or with chronic illnesses. Their efforts paid off. The legislation, sponsored by Ignoglia and Albritton, was amended on the floor to carve out dietitians and nutritionists from the deregulation efforts. And we think that’s good news for our state’s most vulnerable population.
Flu season relief
Got a case of the sniffles? Head to the pharmacist. It took three years, but Florida pharmacists were able to declare victory in their quest to allow pharmacists to “test and treat” for flu, strep and non-chronic conditions. While the battle was long, victory came quickly. DeSantis signed the legislation, sponsored by Rep. Tyler Sirois and Sen. Hutson, the same day it was sent to him. The Sunshine State now joins 17 other states that have expanded the role of pharmacists. The new law, which takes effect July 1, will allow pharmacists to order and interpret tests, as well as change medication for a variety of conditions. It also requires pharmacists to recommend follow up with a doctor if necessary. One other note on the legislation: The swift support came the same day the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 was a pandemic. Nevermore than now did we need all hands on deck.
Staying cool under pressure
Student athletes have a lot to celebrate this Session after state lawmakers took steps to protect high schoolers from heatstroke. The Florida Legislature unanimously approved legislation sponsored by
Sen. Janet Cruz sponsored a unanimously passed bill designed to protect student athletes from heat-related injuries and deaths. Photo: Colin Hackley Rep. Ralph Massulo and Sen. Janet Cruz that aims to protect student athletes participating in sports during hot weather by reducing preventable injury or death. The legislation — named the Zachary Martin Act after a Florida high school student who died during a football practice — requires the Florida High School Athletic Association to identify heat stress levels at which a cooling zone must be made available, establish requirements for cooling zones, require school emergency action plans, and establish hydration guidelines. “Heatstroke is 100% avoidable if rapid cooling begins within the first 10 minutes,” Massulo said in January. The bill heads to the Governor’s desk for his signature.
Lawyer up
Let’s admit it: Trial lawyers get a bad rap in the Florida Legislature — and this year was no exception. Backed by a variety of business organizations, lawmakers put forward legislation that would have limited costs in lawsuits. That included a proposal that would have placed additional restrictions on contingency risk factors for plaintiffs
fees in lawsuits against property insurers. The bill cleared the House but fizzled out in the Senate. And so did several other proposals aimed at so-called lawsuit abuse reform. Give it to the trial attorneys. They know how to get the job done.
The innovation sandbox
An overhaul of the state’s technology infrastructure could mean good news for innovation. Lawmakers OK’d legislation this year that aims to, among other things, allow agencies to communicate with each other on the same technology platform. Described by Rep. Jamie Grant as the toughest piece of public policy he has ever worked on, the legislation, among other things, upgrades the technology infrastructure and creates a new oversight authority. It also creates the Financial Technology Sandbox within the Office of Financial Regulation, which will allow some companies the regulatory freedom to experiment with new technologies. And more freedom, in our opinion, means more opportunity to make Florida a leader in financial technology innovations.
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2020 Session Kevin Cate's dream of an Auburn University license plate is one step closer to reality after legislators approved the addition of several new specialty license plates for 2020. Photo: FLAPOL
Show your pride
Want to give a shout-out to your outof-state alma mater? Or show your pride for being a member of the Divine Nine? There’s a license plate for that. In the final days of the Legislative Session, state lawmakers OK’d a proposal that will allow Floridians to buy several new specialty plates. And for some, the new plates were years in the making. Rep. Geraldine Thompson can claim a victory after eight years of pushing for a tag for the Divine Nine, the National Pan-Hellenic Council of historically black fraternities and sororities. Formed during segregation, the Greek organizations mentor youth, battle disease and poverty, and raise scholarship funds. Rep. Grant can stop his calls for an Auburn University license plate. The War Eagle plate — along with one for the University of Georgia and the University of Alabama — was included in the final proposal.
Mickey lends a hand
Speaking of license plates: After years of failing to pass legislation to create new license plates, the House of Mouse added their muscle to the effort this year and helped carry the specialty tag revamp bill over the finish line.
HB 1135 will also give Floridians the opportunity to proudly display their Mickey love on the highway with a new Walt Disney World license plate. The Schorsch household will have the first plate, of course. Disney won’t be using the tag fees to build a Scrooge McDuck-style money pool, either. The collections will be used to fund the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Northern Florida, which helps make dreams come true for children suffering from life-threatening medical conditions. This isn’t said enough: Mickey is a pretty good guy.
restoration projects, including $50 million for storage and treatment projects north of Lake Okeechobee. These actions will go a long way toward improving our most valuable natural resource. Let’s keep up the good work in 2021 and beyond.
Water, water everywhere
It’s the lifeblood of our economy, and for the second year in a row, Florida’s waterways were clearly a priority Kudos to state lawmakers on both sides of the aisle working together to make sure water quality remained a priority in 2020. Led by Sen. Debbie Mayfield, lawmakers supported aggressive legislation that regulates septic tanks, restricts the spread of biosolids stormwater treatment rules and develops plans to meet waterway clean-up goals. The Legislature also set aside $625 million for water quality and Everglades
Debbie Mayfield. Photo: Colin Hackley
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Educate me
When the dust settles on the 2020 Legislative Session one thing is clear: Public school teachers in Florida will receive a raise. The Legislature unanimously approved an obscure bill that, among other things, gives school districts additional funding for each student who receives an AP Capstone diploma in addition to a standard diploma. But thanks to an amendment tacked on by the Senate in the 11th hour, it also creates the infrastructure for salary increases for teachers. Under the proposal, school districts and charter schools would be required to use their share of the money to increase the minimum base salary for full-time teachers to at least $47,500. Districts can also use the money, as funding permits, to give a salary boost to other full-time instructional personnel or veteran teachers who make just above the minimum but haven’t received a raise in years. That’s not only a big win for public school educators across the state, but also for DeSantis, who made teacher raises a cornerstone of his 2020-21 budget proposal.
Building boom
PECO get your PECO here! It was another big year for the University of Florida and other colleges and universities, which are set to receive a combined $112 million in Public Education Capital Outlay funds. UF pulled in, among other things, another $35 million for their cutting edge Data Science Research Lab. The same project got $25 million last year. Also making the list: another $8 for the P.K. Younge Research Development School, which is affiliated with UF. Florida Atlantic had a banner year grabbing more than $26 million, including $15 million for the AD Henderson University Lab School, which was awarded $11 million last year.
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Senate President Bill Galvano takes questions from the press during a media availability during the 2020 Legislative Session. Photo: Mary Beth Tyson Florida State’s College of Business received $20 million; Florida Gulf Coast’s pulled $15 million for its School of Integrated Watershed and Coastal Studies; and Florida International will get an $8.3 million check for the next phase of its engineering building. It all adds up to a big boost in university PECO cash, which weighed in at $91 million in the last budget.
Florida Government Advocacy Team Bob Martinez*, Former Governor and Co-Chair Mark Delegal, Partner and Co-Chair Tallahassee, FL | 850.224.7000
College days
Here’s something we can agree on: Bob Boyd had a heck of a Session. Tapped in July to lead Independent Colleges & Universities of Florida, Boyd spent a portion of his first Session fending off attempts by the legislators, including Rep. Fine, to massively transform a tuition assistance program for students at private colleges or universities. The bill would have changed eligibility so only students who can prove financial need would receive a grant. That would have eliminated more than 27,000 current students, or 63% of recipients. That would have meant a big hit to the state’s 30 notfor-profit colleges and universities. Boyd — along with Stephen Shiver with The Advocacy Group at Cardenas Partners, Brewser Brown with SKB Consulting Group, and Cameron Yarbrough with Ramba Consulting – fought back, organizing hundreds of students to rally for education choice.
* Bob Martinez, a senior policy advisor with Holland & Knight, is not an attorney and is not licensed by The Florida Bar. Copyright © 2020 Holland & Knight LLP All Rights Reserved
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Higher learning
2020 Session
After two years of failing to cross the finish line, the third time was a charm for the College Board, as the Legislature approved the recognition and additional funding for students who earn an AP Capstone diploma. Under HB 614, high schools can get funding equivalent to 30% of a full-time student for each AP Capstone diploma awarded — a major boon for the schools that are churning out college-ready kids. If the bill number seems familiar, that’s because the College Board’s bill turned into the major vehicle for education policy in the 2020 Legislative Session. On day 58, the Governor’s teacher pay priority — the banner legislation in what’s been called the “Year of the Teacher” — was added into the bill. The College Board has been trying for a while, and now they can claim victory on a bill teachers and students across the state will benefit from.
Give us the records
Our Sunshine State moniker doesn’t just come from the gorgeous weather. The public records laws are known around the world for shining a light on how government really works. So why is it that each year, lawmakers look to stifle public records laws? During the 2020 Legislative Session there was once again a push to make university presidential searches exempt from public review. Supporters said the effort was needed to draw top candidates to the search. We call malarkey, and so did the First Amendment Foundation. With Pamela Marsh, the newly named President, at its helm, the First Amendment Foundation blocked the effort, ensuring these important decisions are made in the sunshine.
The pen is mightier
Let’s give credit where credit is due: Without the dogged reporting of Mary Ellen Klas and Samantha Gross, it’s unclear we would have ever known the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence was misusing funds. In a series of reports, Klas and Gross revealed Tiffany Carr, the former CEO of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, received more than $7.5 million since 2016, including an estimated $5 mil78 | INFLUENCE SPRING 2020
The gross abuse of Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence funds by CEO Tiffany Carr, were revealed in an investigative series by Miami Herald reporters. Photo: FLAPOL lion in cash payments for paid time off. Their work prompted legislators to launch an investigation. The House issued subpoenas and called in several top staffers and board members to testify. And in March, a Leon County circuit court judge ordered the organizations dissolved. Klas and Gross continue to advance the story, informing Floridians about the missteps of the agency and its former CEO. As more and more news organizations around the state slash budgets and reporting staffs, Klas and Gross show the important role the media plays in our lives.
Power of the press
All it took was a tip for Tampa Bay Times reporter Paul Guzzo to start a movement. In 2019, a cemetery researcher told Guzzo about death certificates that included a listing for a Zion Cemetery, a
burial ground he had never seen. After months of researching, Guzzo and James Borchuck found that 800 people were buried in what was believed to be Tampa’s first all-black cemetery. Their quest continued, uncovering at least a half dozen more lost cemeteries. Their work was important to keeping the history of the community alive, and lawmakers took note. Hat tip to Sen. Cruz who filed legislation to create a task force on abandoned African American cemeteries across the state. She doggedly pursued the legislation, opting to pitch an appropriation request for cemetery memorials on the Senate floor when the legislation appeared stalled. Moved by the story, the Senate picked up Cruz’s legislation and unanimously approved it. While the legislation is unlikely to land on DeSantis’ desk this year, you can bet Guzzo and team will keep the issue in the spotlight.
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t s La Call
F E AT U R E
BY PETER SCHORSCH AND ANDREW MEACHEM
I
t’s almost time to say goodbye to several
and where they’re headed now.
lawmakers, all moving on due to term lim-
You’ll also get a glimpse of the state as the coro-
its. We thought now would be a good time
navirus was kicking into a higher gear. The pandem-
for a curtain call, a chance to reminisce on
ic tests safety standards and hurts the economy, and
serving their districts in Tallahassee.
ideas about how to handle it differ sharply.
For this Last Call, you’ll hear legislators reflect on
They represent diverse districts and political
highlights and challenges, how they pursued politics
leanings, and some pride themselves on casting an
80 | INFLUENCE SPRING 2020
unpredictable vote. This is a brainy bunch, earn-
and Rep. Travis Cummings will take Clay County
ing a living outside Tallahassee in law, education
with them when they wave goodbye.
or business. Their departure reminds us of the bit-
Then again, it ain’t over till it’s over. And the
tersweet nature of term limits themselves, which
2020 budget was a done deal too. The COVID-19
gains fresh faces at the expense of institutional
pandemic might have something to say about
knowledge. Sen. Bill Montford knows North Flor-
when these folks meet again, possibly sooner
ida in a way that will be hard to replace. Bradley
than anticipated.
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“Everybody has their journey, and those journeys are not always the same. We need to stop and listen to people when they’re talking to you and telling you their story.”
Rob Bradley 82 | INFLUENCE SPRING 2020
Florida will
‘snap back quickly,’
says Clay County native Rob Bradley
T
he joint budget commission worked its way to the wire before approving a $93.2 billion budget for 2020. That sum included $52 million in mostly federal aid in response to the novel coronavirus. Then it turned out COVID-19 was just getting started. Rob Bradley, who chairs the Senate side of the joint budget commission, has seen other emergencies play havoc with state resources. In each of his three years as budget chair, the state has been rocked by a school shooting, a killer hurricane and, now, a pandemic. “What this taught me, and hopefully this is a lesson for those that follow, is that the state should always prepare financially for the unexpected,” Bradley said. “It seems so simple but it takes discipline.” He’ll soon return to private life because of term limits. The past eight years have given him a chance to serve the state in which he grew up, to protect its waterways and endeavor to help its young people, even those who have gotten in trouble with the law, in keeping with the compassionate conservatism he champions. As COVID-19 forces legislators to reevaluate the budget they just passed, Bradley looks for ways to ensure both physical and economic health for Floridians. “The state can’t print money like the federal government,” he said. “You need cash to spend when a hurricane or other unexpected event hits the people of your state. You owe it to them to be disciplined financially and stockpile reserves, so that you are prepared to help when bad things happen.” When thinking of how he has tried to help Floridians, Bradley mentions his mother, Gail Roberts, who taught him not
to rush people who were trying to tell you something. “It was just the idea that we have to really stop and listen to people and try to put yourself in their shoes,” he said. “Everybody has their journey, and those journeys are not always the same. We need to stop and listen to people when they’re talking to you and telling you their story.” Born and raised in Green Cove Springs, he spent weekends with his father, Bob Bradley. They explored state parks, hiked the William Bartram Trail and canoed the St. Johns River. Young Rob also maintained close ties with both stepparents. As a Senator, he has been a strong proponent of drug courts and treatment over prison for youthful offenders. He met RayAnn Moseley, an 11-yearold with cerebral palsy, whose epileptic seizures were so severe enough they sometimes landed her in the hospital. After that, Bradley backed the decriminalization of a low-dose THC extract for the treatment of epilepsy. The 2014 Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act, the so-called “Charlotte’s Web” measure, established the groundwork for the 2016 bill allowing medical marijuana for patients with terminal conditions. “We’re talking about things in criminal justice reform that were third-rail issues just a few years ago,” Bradley said. “And we continue to move the pendulum more and more toward sentencing that is proportional and not one-size-fits-all. We continue to invest in data-driven decisions about what’s working and what doesn’t work.” A graduate of the University of Florida and its law school, Bradley in 2007 accepted an appointment to the Clay County Commission by then-Gov. Charlie Crist, replacing John Thrasher, who had resigned.
He is proud of his support for environmental legislation, including Everglades restoration and safeguarding the Lake Okeechobee Reservoir, and of the people around him. “I’ve been part of Team Negron and Team Galvano,” he said, referring to the former and current Senate presidents, Joe Negron and Bill Galvano. “I’ve been a part of team DeSantis. The great part of being part of those teams is that you don’t feel like you’re successful unless everybody is successful. You don’t worry too much about who’s getting credit, you just worry about getting the job done.” Bradley looks forward to resuming full-time work at his Orange Park law firm; Bradley, Garrison and Komando; where he specializes in city, county and local government law, and spending more time with his wife and three children. He has no plans to run for another public office any time soon. “As far as down the road, in later years, who knows?” In the meantime, Jennifer Bradley, also a lawyer, is running to succeed her husband in the Senate’s District 5. “I look forward to being a supportive spouse,” her husband said. The state will recover from the pandemic, Bradley thinks. “Maybe I’m too much of an optimist,” he said, “but I believe that Florida is going to be OK. This virus is awful. It’s taking a terrible toll on those directly affected, and it’s having a shocking effect on our economy. But I still believe in the fundamentals of Florida. I think we can snap back quickly.”
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“I grew up listening to the stories, which helped me realize, ‘Yeah, we do live in a pretty great country.’
Anitere Flores 84 | INFLUENCE SPRING 2020
A Legislator at 28,
Anitere Flores nears a milestone with term limits
M
idway through March, as the novel coronavirus continued to spread faster than most people could understand it, South Florida beaches gained a brief notoriety. Packed with spring breakers whose social body language was anything but distant, the crowds represented a segment of the populace indifferent to their own danger or anyone else’s. Then Miami-Dade County took action and closed the beaches. So did Monroe County, and while no one noticed, South Florida became an example of local governments taking control of a worsening situation. “First and foremost, this is something unlike anything we’ve ever seen,” said Sen. Anitere Flores, who represents Monroe and part of Miami-Dade in the 39th district. “Miami-Dade and Monroe saw early on that this was not to be fooled around with. The most popular industry in Monroe is tourism, and county officials said, ‘Look, we’re not going to risk it for a couple of weeks more because we can’t afford to let this disease come and affect residents.’” By late March, authorities were setting up a 250-bed remote hospital on the Miami-Dade Fairgrounds. “I feel good about the response in South Florida by counties that have taken a little more aggressive approach,” Flores said a week before Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a statewide stay-at-home order. “If you look at other countries where this has gotten worse — China, Italy and Spain — they probably spent a week or two not taking it as seriously as they should have. And then they just kind of locked down those countries. And on a state level, I don’t want to be in a situation where two weeks down the line were saying, ‘Oh, goodness, we probably should have taken more drastic measures.’” Flores’ family history informed much of her decision to enter politics in the first place, and to remain. The Miami native’s grandparents fled Fidel Castro’s Cuba with her mother, then 9, in tow. They set
up shop in Miami, learned English and eventually opened a long-running Cuban restaurant downtown. Flores’ mother single-handedly raised her and two younger siblings, doing her best not to reveal how much she was sacrificing. “I grew up listening to the stories, which helped me realize, ‘Yeah, we do live in a pretty great country.’ “That I think had a very direct impact on what shaped my worldview because this was a country that welcomed my grandparents and my parents with open arms.” And it’s part of the reason why her mother told her that she had a duty to give back. A Bright Futures scholarship, coupled with a now-defunct scholarship targeting minorities for law school and working full time, made it possible for Flores to get through Florida International University and the University of Florida’s law school. A stipulation of the law school scholarship required her to start out working in some form of government. So she signed on as an attorney for the Education committee of the state House of Representatives. She won her first election to the House of Representatives in 2004 at age 28, then easily won every two subsequent elections, a string of wins she continued from her first Senate run in 2010. Today Flores is the Senate’s Deputy Majority Leader and the first Republican Hispanic woman to serve in both chambers of the Florida Legislature since Ileana Ros-Lehtinen in the late 1980s. That chain of events, from her scholarships to the present, is the kind of thing she can appreciate in retrospect, almost as if it had been preordained. Flores describes her political orientation as conservative. At the same time, she has a soft spot for the kind of social programs that helped her and at times has voted with Democrats on other measures, such as a move to arm teachers after the Parkland shootings. She has pushed to establish a check on runaway property insurance rates, an issue
that hurts working people and, in her view, remains unresolved. “Overall, it’s just been a frustration with the insurance industry over the years of being in a place where they just don’t want to stabilize rates,” she said. “And I don’t see a lot of strong political will to combat riding property insurance rates. That’s definitely a lasting concern I still have.” Bright spots include a $5 million fund for pediatric cancer research and the First Generation Scholarship, which Flores led in 2006 with the House. The scholarship allows qualified applicants who would be the first in their family to graduate from college to attend Florida International University. In 2018, the state doubled its contribution to the matching program, from an even amount to $2 for every dollar raised by the university. Now, Flores said, “I meet students who stop me to introduce themselves and say thank you. It’s pretty awesome.” She now approaches a milestone. In contrast with most politicians, who typically run for office after many years in other careers, Flores will be returning to South Florida with an open agenda. She’ll enjoy more time with her husband, Dustin Anderson, and their sons, ages 11 and 8, riding bicycles or going to baseball games or competing against each other on family game nights. The boys, she said, “have only known their mommy as someone who has to go up to Tallahassee and make the laws.” She believes that getting through the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic will take patience. “The 2008 recession affected the 2009 and 2010 budgets as well,” Flores said. “We didn’t start to see us getting out of pre-recession spending numbers until around the 2011-2012 budget cycle. So I’d say we’re going to be dealing with something similar here. I won’t be here, but other people will be dealing with it for a long time.”
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THANK YOU
Right now across our state, hospital and health system teams are working tirelessly to protect our patients, workforce and communities as we respond to the unprecedented impacts of COVID-19. FHA deeply appreciates everyone who is serving on the frontlines every day. We see you and we thank you for all that you are doing to care for our patients and communities.
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F E AT U R E
Oscar Braynon will
move on from the Senate,
A
but not from politics
s the graph of a pandemic curved more vertically than to the right, Miami Gardens was on the front end of getting the message. Traffic was thinning out. Fewer people were visible outside. The stay-inside order from Gov. Ron DeSantis, over which he had taken heat for waiting that long, was still a week away. Sen. Oscar Braynon, who grew up here, was preparing a food drive on Friday with three other Legislators. On Saturday, they would load milk, chicken, canned goods and fresh vegetables into the trunks of cars. The groceries were supplied by Farm Share, a nonprofit. “It’s hard to find food,” Braynon said. Older people and those with diabetes or lung disease were worried. “We have people with compromised immune systems who are afraid to leave their home,” he said. “This is a deathly proposition for some of those people. You can’t breathe, you know what I’m saying? You can’t breathe!” The 43-year-old Senate Minority Leader has already spent 17 years in public office and now faces term limits. A protege of former U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, he has never lost an election; if anything, he has won by increasing margins. “I run like I’m 10 points behind, all the time,” he said. He got the inspiration for never taking his foot off the gas from Meek’s mother, former U.S. Rep. Carrie Meek. “‘You kill a fly with a sledgehammer,’” Braynon said. “That’s what she used to tell me.” In truth, his campaigns started before he was born. Braynon is a “fourth- or fifth generation Miamian on both sides of the family,” and those roots intertwine throughout Miami-Dade and into Broward County. He grew up in northern Dade County, the son of Oscar Braynon, a chief of staff for a county commissioner, and accounting manager in a government office. To distinguish him from his father, friends dubbed
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Braynon “O2.” The nickname stuck. “They don’t see me as Sen. Braynon. They say, ‘Oh, there’s O2.’” By middle school and high school he was student body president. At 16, he became the first page for Kendrick Meek, then in the Florida House in a seat Braynon would later assume. “He was a mentor and a friend,” Braynon said. “He taught me the process.” A Democrat, he got a job out of Florida State University in 2000 in a voter drive for Meek. He reconsidered plans to go to law school when Miami Gardens was incorporated in 2003. At the time, Braynon was working for County Commissioner Betty T. Ferguson, who was instrumental in creating the city out of historically African-American neighborhoods, resulting in the largest predominantly black city south of Atlanta. “I was 25 and living with my mother and my father,” he said. “I said, ‘You know what? Why don’t I try to throw my hat in the ring and run for office?’” He decided to run for the Miami Gardens City Council. Dozens of relatives helped pass out flyers and knock on doors. He won. “Things kind of just kicked off from there,” he said. He served on the council for five years, then moved to the House for three sessions. In 2010, Brayan defeated three former state representatives in a special election to fill the Senate seat vacated by Frederica Wilson, who had been elected to Congress. He’s proud of his work setting up needle exchanges, a method of harm reduction for IV-drug users. “It stops the spread of infectious disease,” he said. “But it’s also a chance to talk to people, get them the help they need.” Maybe that help is treatment for AIDS or help with an addiction. “We’ve used it as a touch point to change people’s lives,” he said. “And it’s worked.” Success of needle exchanges paved
the way for Braynon to take the program across the state. Because his district was redrawn in 2016 and the staggered term he inherited, Braynon runs up against his Senate term limit in November, two years sooner than he would have faced had it not been for court-ordered redistricting. He was keeping a low profile as he packed food to give away, not planning to talk about his next race, this time for Mayor of Miami Gardens. “I’m going to pause (campaigning),” Braynon said, “and just get people the things they need. People need stuff, people are getting laid off.” One story stays with him. Braynon was campaigning at a polling place in a special election. It takes determination to vote in a special election, and he feels a bond with those who make the trip. “They’re not coming out to vote for Barack Obama and me,” he said. “They’re voting for me or probably one other person on the ballot.” A car pulled up, and Braynon approached and introduced himself. “‘I know who you are,’” the middle-age driver told him. “She says, ‘I already voted absentee. My mother likes to vote on election day. And she asked me to come take her to vote for that little Braynon boy.’” The woman set up a walker, then helped an elderly woman out of the back seat. “The mother gets out, says, ‘Baby, I know who you are, and I had to get my daughter to come take me to go vote for you.’ “And you think in your head, ‘These are the people I am representing,’” he said. “That old lady who got out of bed, had her daughter come pick her up. And she’s in a walker and she’s going to go in there and vote for me because she believes I am the person that’s going to help her.” For O2, that kind of faith is a breath of fresh air, and a responsibility. He’s glad to be of service now, he said. “Especially now.”
“We’ve used it as a touch point to change people’s lives, and it’s worked.”
Oscar Braynon
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“I’m proud of the fact that the Republican leadership has trusted my judgment,”
Bill Montford
Bill Montford: Senator and CEO
T
but a teacher first
he novel coronavirus accelerated dramatically in March, and by the 13th was officially a national emergency. In Florida, outraged pundits reacted to video of spring breakers crowding a few beaches. In North Florida’s 6th District, where Sen. Bill Montford had presided since 2010, most of the reported cases were coming from Leon County. By April 2, Leon had 32 cases and 32 deaths, with another eight cases and eight deaths in the other 10 counties combined. But Montford, who retires in November because of term limits, was still concerned, especially for a reason not often mentioned. “If the schools are closed, what does that mean?” he said in the same way the former schoolteacher and principal
90 | INFLUENCE SPRING 2020
introduces topics he wants the listener to understand. “It means there is food insecurity, a lack of medical care, a lack of daycare.” He was talking about the children of the working poor, people he grew up with and still knows, who elected him to public office eight out of nine tries. Their problems mirror the state’s, he maintains, and public schools serve as a collective parent of last resort when there is not enough money to feed a household. “Children are children,” Montford said. “We have hungry children in all the schools in our state. Food insecurity is a tremendous issue that has not received the attention that it deserves.” A “backpack program” sends nutritious meals home with qualifying stu-
dents on Fridays. When all else fails, teachers and superintendents, bus drivers and volunteers drive the food packages to students’ homes. He sees that stewardship as a moral obligation. “If a child is sitting in a seat hungry or with a toothache next to a child with a full belly and good medical care, making good grades and learning is more of a challenge to that first child,” he said. “I think we have an obligation to address that.” Montford approaches most issues with the same relaxed tempo, in a deep baritone voice that carries a regional twang. (“Parents,” for example, is “peernts.”) It is a disarming style, one that sounds more like front porch banter than a methodical case being made.
But don’t be fooled. That folksy demeanor masks the logical orientation of a math teacher who seeks not merely to convince, but to prove his case. This Session has seen two of his longtime causes passed, a higher starting salary for teachers and across-the-board raises for state employees. The latter is particularly personal. In a decade of trying, Montford had been able to get only one modest increase, which was offset by a new requirement that 3% of state workers’ salaries be diverted into a retirement fund. With the cost of living going up, it felt like a reduction. “Florida is number 50 in the number of dedicated state employees per capita,” he said. “Which means they’re working hard. If we’re not careful, we’re not going to be able to attract and maintain qualified state employees. They’ll go looking for a job somewhere else.” Schools should also figure out a way to address mental health, he maintains. It’s an issue he has heard about in his other job, as chief executive officer of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents. “Let me give you a little fact,” Montford said. “Two years before Parkland and every year since then, the number one concern among school superintendents in the state has been mental health.” He wound his way through the supporting arguments. Guidance counselors have enormous caseloads already helping students apply for colleges, and most are not trained in mental health counseling anyway. Students come to school bringing baggage from home, reflecting issues that affect society as a whole. “Now you know, there’s a good argument to be made that public schools can’t fix everybody’s problems,” he said. “And that’s true. But we always turn to the public schools and say, ‘Help us solve this problem.’” He was born in Marianna and grew up in Blountstown and watched his parents work five jobs between them to keep food on the table. After earning a master’s degree at Florida State University, he taught math at a middle school enroute to serving for 18 years as high school principal. Before his first Senate election in 2010, Montford served on the Leon County Commission twice and was elected superintendent of schools. He downplays that record.
“I like to joke that if I could get the votes of half my former students and half my relatives, I’ll be in pretty good shape.” The only Democrat in his district, he’s proud of having chaired the Agriculture, Commerce and Tourism committees, and his current chairmanship of the Environment and Natural Resources committee, assignments that might normally go to the majority party. “I’m proud of the fact that the Republican leadership has trusted my judgment,” he said. Montford’s willingness to compromise has disappointed some of his Democratic colleagues. In 2018, he approved private school vouchers because the same bill allowed local control over construction projects and federal grants. He regards that very willingness with satisfaction for being straightforward, up front and nonpartisan. “I’m proud of the fact that I’ve been involved in the process. Even though I’m in the minority party, I think on most issues I’ve been in the room.” Some efforts went nowhere. A bill to
ban underwater fracking (SB314), was sent back to committee, where it died. “I hope somebody picks it up next year, and let’s just keep pushing,” he said. “Fracking has no place in the state of Florida.“ As the passed budget inches forward, almost certain to undergo cuts to adapt to the coronavirus, Montford will stay at the helm of the superintendents association. He’ll remain concerned about rural North Florida, where fallen pines snapped by Hurricane Michael remain strewn like matchsticks over once-valuable property. Montford lost a timber crop of his own in the storm. The farmers who had been counting on that timber for retirement or to put their children through college have lost everything, he said. Like hungry schoolchildren, their plight existed before the pandemic, he hopes they will receive more attention now. In the meantime, he’ll enjoy his five grandchildren. “I’ve had a good run,” he said. “And doggone it, I hate to leave.”
HEAR THE STORIES BEHIND THE POLITICS.
ROTUNDAPODCAST.COM
A PRODUCTION OF GOMES MEDIA STRATEGIES
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F E AT U R E
“I wanted to be like Abraham Lincoln. Everybody should have a hero. When you read what is written and what he did, it’s incredible.”
David Simmons
Sen. David Simmons has proved an
indefatigable force for two decades
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A
s a lawyer and as a legislator, David Simmons has always been a fighter. He works late into the night to prepare for big battles, fighting for the environment and gun rights with equal zeal, standing up for sexual assault survivors and against bullies; for campaign finance reform and against Medicaid expansion; giving first-time DUI motorists an off-ramp or throwing the book at repeat offenders. From the campaign to his causes, he gives no quarter. In 2005, while in the House of Representatives, the Altamonte Springs Republican authored the nation’s first “stand your ground” law. Dozens of states have since crafted their own versions. In 2013 and after George Zimmerman’s acquittal in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, Simmons joined Democrat Chris Smith in a bill revamping neighborhood watch programs, a move widely seen as a bipartisan fix to “stand your ground.” “I’ve been pleased that we’ve been able to have conservative solutions for the issues that are facing Florida,” said Simmons, whose victories this year include a $50 million springs restoration program and raising the vaping age to 21. He can wage war in a nuanced manner. Both as head of the Senate’s Pre-K to 12th grade education budget and as its President Pro Tempore, he pushed underperforming schools to boost their scores while also increasing support to help them improve. “These young students need extra attention; we’re talking about kids who come here and can’t speak English,” said Simmons, who is fluent in Spanish. “I don’t want to go too far, too fast with the scores and shut them down. We have to give enough time for the wraparound services to work.” He has pushed to require E-Verify, which screens out undocument immigrants in hiring, while elsewhere creating a path to help their children become lawyers. His Catholic faith requires him to observe the distinction. “Ezekiel 18:21 says that you shall not blame the child for the sins of the father, or the father for the sins of the child, that each should be responsible for their own life,” Simmons said. “The children are brought here by someone. They didn’t have any choice in it.” Simmons influences include former
U.S. Sen. Connie Mack, and he served as Mack’s campaign finance chairman for Central Florida and on his judicial advisory committee. While fiery rhetoric makes news, Mack preferred to make friends. “He said, you treat your colleagues with respect and dignity,” Simmons recalled. “We can passionately disagree on the issues. But what will happen is, it’s very difficult to pass any kind of legislation with the person sitting across from you if you’ve been calling them all kinds of vicious names publicly. If you treat people with civility and respect, you’re able to compromise a little to get a lot.” A state Representative from 2000 to 2008 and a Senator since 2010, he never stopped practicing law. In 1976, the year before he graduated from Vanderbilt University Law School, he co-founded the Orlando firm of de Beaubien, Knight, Simmons, Mantzaris and Neal. The firm is now one of Central Florida’s largest. Adept in a courtroom, Simmons was recently recognized as one of the area’s “litigation giants,” with board certifications in business and civil trial litigation, as well as the National Board of Trial Advocacy, which requires “an enhanced level of expertise and substantial involvement in the specialty area of certification.” The 58 lawyers in his firm enjoy a prestige and pay a price. “Unfortunately, they assist me by putting up with my phone calls at 11 o’clock at night, my emails,” Simmons acknowledged. A devout Catholic, he is likely to attribute his good fortune to being “blessed.” If he is speaking more narrowly, say, about what success requires or how his own came about, it all begins on his grandfather’s farm in Tennessee. A son of teachers, he waxes poetic, even rhapsodic, about that work. “I know what it’s like to haul hay, to drive a tractor from 7 in the morning until 8 or 9 o’clock at night with the lights on. To hoe tobacco and sucker it, and to have my own crew at age 11. And to be at the top of the tobacco barn in August, hanging it, when it’s 95 degrees outside and 110 degrees below a hot tin roof. I didn’t appreciate it at the time as much as I do now.” He was the top performing physics student at Tennessee Technological University, outpacing his more affluent classmates, which was most of them. Then he
read a biography of Abraham Lincoln and changed his major to mathematics. “I decided I didn’t want to be a physicist,” Simmons said. “I wanted to be like Abraham Lincoln. Everybody should have a hero. When you read what is written and what he did, it’s incredible.” Simmons graduated at the top of his class. After moving to Florida, he was active in the Orange County Young Republicans club. There he got to know Jeannie Austin, the President of the Florida chapter who would go on to chair the national Republican Party. “She said, ‘David you’re a bright young man. I’d vote for you.’” He’ll finish a distinguished legislative career in November. He’ll play tennis, travel more and spend time with his family. Lately, one issue has Simmons in fighting form like no other. He opposes the shelter-in-place orders governments have issued to slow the spread of the coronavirus. “The simple fact is that we are innovative enough and smart enough to figure out that we don’t have to destroy the jobs of all these people here in Florida, and in America as well, in order to deal with a very serious pandemic,” Simmons said, a few days before Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a statewide stay-at-home order. Simmons said he takes COVID-19 seriously, but such mandates violate citizens’ rights by attempting to force them to take precautions they should have been taking already and may not follow now. “We don’t have to shoot ourselves in the head because we have a severe headache,” he said. “You don’t have to destroy our citizens’ lives by shutting down all of the places they work in order to solve this problem.” He talked about 22,000 Americans dying of seasonal flu in the last six months. (“Are those lives not worth anything?”) He talked about expanding testing and other effective steps governments could take. “I’m just telling you that to shut down everything is to admit defeat,” he said.
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House budget chair Travis Cummings has
T
gotten used to crisis
he 2020 budget left legislators with much to feel good about. A $500 million package would go most of the way toward raising starting teacher salaries to $47,500. Prison workers and other state employees also got raises, and another $500 million spearheaded by the Governor to protect springs amplified Florida’s natural beauty. Then the novel coronavirus picked up, and picked up again. By the time the $93.2 billion budget passed on March 19, it had undergone some last minute surgery, including $52.5 million in mostly federal funds for a COVID-19 response, backed up by $300 million in contingency funds. At least in the United States, the virus has shown little sign of slowing down since, which means legislators might not be finished with the budget after all. After some hard-won compromises to reach passage, what would the budget look like with emergency revisions for the pandemic? Enter Rep. Travis Cummings, the chair of the House Appropriations Committee and alternating chair of the budget commission. In three years close to the budget, he has already seen how hurricanes or a horrific school shooting knock the best laid plans askew. And before he retires from the Legislature because of term limits, there’s a good chance that Cummings, his Senate cohort Rob Bradley and other lawmakers will have to adjust the final budget numbers. Tourism alone generates $500 million a month in tax revenues, for example, and theme parks are closed. “We are cautiously optimistic that we can get through the current fiscal year,” Cummings said. “But when the revenue receipts come in in March, April and May, we will evaluate all that. And maybe by a June or July timeframe, we’ve got to figure out if we have to go back to Tallahassee and, quite frankly, pull some levers that will allow us to have an adequate budget to support the services we provide.” As for what to cut, there’s no easy way out. “Let’s face it,” he said, “if we’re talking about billions versus $50 million of re-
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sources that could be identified, you’re going to have to look in the areas of cutting those types of expenditures. And what would that be? It would be health care, education, the environment.” Cummings grew up in Orange Park without giving a thought to politics. A chance encounter changed that. He planned a career in business and created one, graduating with an MBA from the University of North Florida. Then he bought a house. The seller, whom he met at the closing, was former Orange Park Mayor Earl Theus. “He encouraged me to seek an office on the Orange Park Town Council,” Cummings recalled. “I didn’t really know what I was getting into. But I knocked on a lot of doors, shook a lot of hands, ran a campaign and got elected. I didn’t plan on that, it just kind of happened. But that’s how it started.” In a small-world moment, he sat on a dais near a newly elected city attorney, Rob Bradley, who today chairs the Senate side of the budget commission. Cummings would serve on the Town Council from 2002 to 2008, including a two-year term midway through as Mayor. He won a seat in the Legislature in 2012, representing home turf in the 18th district. Highlights over four terms include setting up a regulatory framework for telehealth, or online video visits with physicians (also known as telemedicine), a booming trend Florida had been slow to adopt. The Legislature prepared a package last April smoothing out some sticking points, including allowing providers to negotiate rates for telehealth visits with insurers. The coronavirus that introduced “social distancing” into the lexicon has dramatically accelerated that potential. “Telehealth has been a huge, huge thing,” Cummings said, “and now with this epidemic we have it seems like everybody’s really craving it. Unfortunately, it’s coming with the spread of this awful virus. But it’s refreshing to see some of the barriers we have seen removed. And I think the things we’ve done, particularly in this last Session, will provide benefits for many
years to come in our state.” He’s happy about warding off Medicaid expansion, which skeptics saw as a budget buster, the springs restoration bill and backing programs to help former inmates get housing and job training, among many other initiatives. And while he remains equally committed to his full-time role as a Vice President for The Bailey Group, which administers employee benefits, there’s much to be gained by going all in on public service, Cummings said. “I have no regrets,” he said, “because I’ve tried to do it in a very genuine manner. I don’t make decisions for the people I represent, not based on getting reelected. I try to remember where I came from and people I represent. And because of that I’ve been fortunate to have voters support me for 18 years.” He looks forward to spending additional time with his wife, Jessica, and three children, the eldest 10 years old. Hopefully they’ll get a chance to cheer on the Jacksonville Jaguars with dad, a diehard fan. In a few months, he’ll help lead the inquiry of the economic fallout from the coronavirus. Will the damage take billions out of the budget, and if so, what happens then? “We just had a successful session for teachers and educators, knock on wood, don’t think our goal is to retract that,” he said. “I’m not saying all those things aren’t on the table. But I do think that we’ve probably got to look at all of it to see quite frankly where you can pick up hundreds of millions of dollars, not tens of millions. I think it’s still a little too early to predict.” A recent incident threw the mild-mannered representative into the spotlight. In February, Cummings was chairing an Appropriations Committee meeting when a man brought up school vouchers. Local gadfly Greg Pound, known as a frequent commenter, was chiming in on an allegation that the state’s voucher program funds schools that promote anti-LGBTQ views. The meeting, which was videotaped, shows Pound spelling out the acronym,
“I have no regrets, because I’ve tried to do it in a very genuine manner ... I try to remember where I came from and people I represent. And because of that I’ve been fortunate to have voters support me for 18 years.”
Travis Cummings
then adding the letter “P” — for “pedophile.” “Now, let me ask you this,” Pound said. “Where do these people get their children?” Cummings cut him off: “Your testimony is ended.” When Pound demanded an explanation, Cummings told him that his comments were offensive. He directed the sergeant-at-arms to escort Pound out. Because Cummings doesn’t use social media, it fell to friends to tell him he had become a sort of local hero. “It’s a moment I’ll never forget,” he said. “Because I’m a white male and I’m married with three children, I haven’t dealt with that type of bigotry and misguided positions.” Other outlets painted the incident with a light touch, starring a
Legislator on his way out because of term limits who had decided he wasn’t going to take any bull. But Cummings isn’t laughing. Pound’s comments challenged fundamental decency and had to be shut down, he said. The moment, he said, thrust him into the position of looking down the barrel of discrimination. His tone gets dark. “Folks want to think our country is divided,” he said. “And people think that some of our folks side with people like that. I can tell you that the people I run around with are lifelong Republicans, and I am conservative. But I can tell you that they 100 percent agreed that Mr. Pound’s behavior has absolutely no place in our world today.”
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“I learned from my elders about politics, economics, and the health of a community,”
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The system gave up on Kionne McGhee, but he
held onto his dreams The chat with the guidance counselor had gone well. Young Kionne McGhee, a student at Miami-Dade Community College, had ridden a Greyhound bus to Washington. He wanted to transfer to Howard University. But first he would have to show that his ability and the dismal scores that claimed to measure it were light years apart. Then the counselor asked the big question: “If I let you in,” he said, “how do I know you’re going to stick with it? How do I know you’re not going to embarass me?” McGhee had grown up in a kind of emotional isolation, the eldest of six children raised in the South Miami projects. His mother picked vegetables, his father was not around. He had not responded to school, at least not in a way that told his teachers what he was thinking. They measured his IQ at 78 and placed him in special education classes, where he would remain through the 12th grade. But as a teenager, something McGhee calls a small voice started talking to him, nudging him to believe. Setbacks came. A car crash at 16 preceded rough questioning at the hospital, when a state trooper threw him from his bed to the floor, all because he had “resisted” signing a citation for speeding. They charged the boy with assault on a law enforcement officer. A few years later, he was sitting across from the counselor at Howard with an important question to answer. He answered with the speech of his life. “I said, ‘You don’t have to look far,’” the boy replied, then he ticked off a list of challenges he had already overcome. “I had every reason to quit. I sat in a jail cell.
I’ve lost family members to homicide. I grew up on welfare. I watched my mom raise five, six kids by herself. I had an IQ of 78. They told me I was dyslexic, that I had a speech impediment.” Many would have quit, but he never had. So maybe he had what it takes to be a successful Howard graduate, to go out and change the world. “Three weeks later I got my acceptance letter,” said McGhee, who detailed his remarkable journey in an autobiography, “Conquering Hope: The Life You Were Destined to Live.” This amazing story fuses self-help and spirituality, retracing his own road to confidence and fulfillment. After Howard, McGhee earned a law degree at Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in Houston. He worked as an assistant state attorney in Miami-Dade before founding his own firm. He lost a House race narrowly in 2010 but returned in 2012 to run for the newly created 118th district. This time he won, besting his next-closest opponent by 45 percentage points. If there is a pattern to the bills he has sponsored, it is the frequent appearance of an easily overlooked beneficiary: children of inmates, children in crisis, children needing mental health help, battered wives, the elderly in long-term care, teacher’s aides or greyhounds formerly used for racing. His real political education came from the Naranja Political Party of Common Sense, neighborhood gatherings redolent with conch fritters and fried fish, chicken and hot dogs, with adults of all ages and children playing dominos or cards, enjoying drinks and snacks to Marvin Gaye, Sam Cook, Otis Redding and other favorites.
“I learned from my elders about politics, economics, and the health of a community,” he wrote. Membership in the “party,” loosely named after the housing complex, was open to “everybody who wanted to make a difference.” The elders got their heads together to solve problems in the neighborhood, and grilled visiting politicians on what they planned to do and took their answers with a grain of salt. Now the Democrat House leader, McGhee employs a style of “servant leadership” that emphasizes attributes such as listening, empathy, persuasion and stewardship over top-down management. Coined by Robert K. Greenleaf, servant leadership seeks to build trust and innovation. McGhee voraciously consumes audiobooks. He routinely gets up at 4 a.m. to start one and then spends hours more before bed to finish it. He has gone through at least 250 books that way and has set a goal of at least 13 more during the coronavirus-related shutdown. Recommendations of late include “Team of Rivals” by Doris Kearns Goodwin; “Atomic Habits” by James Clear; and “Becoming” by Michelle Obama. His mother remains his greatest inspiration. “She taught me that everyone has the capacity to become a leader,” McGhee wrote in his autobiography. “She is my hero because she believed in me first — before I was ever able to believe in myself.”
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“Since then, I’ve made it my mission to bring home as many dollars as I can for our community, ... Knowing the appropriations process like I do, it’s been just very gratifying.”
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Holly Raschein returns to her ‘unique’ district with the
environment on her mind
I
t’s hard to believe Rep. Holly Raschein — who grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, before attending college at Florida State University — would end up living in the very different, and very far away city of Key Largo. But while the disparities are obvious, the similarities are profound, the Republican representative for the state’s southernmost district (120) said in her farewell speech to colleagues in March after serving eight years in the House. “The contrast between my childhood home and the Keys could not be greater physically, nor could they be farther apart,” she said. “But the people within could not be more similar. They’re resilient people of strong character who love where they live and are at one with nature.” Raschein said despite her Alaska upbringing, her Florida roots run deep. She made her first visit to her Central Florida family when she was 6 weeks old. Her great-grandfather served in the House in the 1940s. When it was time to choose a college, she was looking for an escape from the cold and a good political science program. “I put the pieces together in my head, she said. “Tallahassee is the capital of the state of Florida. (I thought) surely after I graduate I can get a job. I kind of kept my eye on the prize when, bam boom, it happened.” As a student, she worked for the late lobbyist Bob Levy, who helped her get a job as a district aide to Republican Rep. Ken Sorenson, which led to her relocation to Key Largo — and a nine-and-a-half-hour commute to Tallahassee. When Sorenson stepped down, she continued in the position under Democratic Rep. Ron Saunders. “I’ve got both-sides-of-the-aisle experience,” she said. Which has come in handy during her legislative career because, despite her political party, Raschein’s “libertarianish” leanings sometimes put her at odds with Republican orthodoxy. Some notable examples include her strong support for LGBTQ issues, affordable housing, VISIT FLORIDA and, most notably, funding for
BY ROSANNE DUNKELBERGER environmental projects. Given the district I represent — one of the most unique districts in the state of Florida, if not the Southeastern United States — I think that leadership, throughout my entire elected career has understood that,” she said. “On other issues, I’m happy to be a soldier and be on the team. But there’s just sometimes, given our uniqueness, that I thought I just had to go to bat for my community.” Raschein’s district encompasses all of Monroe County and the southern portion of Dade County, up through the Redlands agricultural area. She represents about 155,000 people and “a lot of birds and snakes and alligators because pretty much all of mainland Monroe is Everglades.” She said she has passed 22 bills in her legislative career and “(brought) home tens of millions of dollars to my district,” but she does not hesitate when asked what her most significant achievement has been during her tenure: The Florida Keys Stewardship Act. “It sets up a dedicated funding source for two equally important components of preserving our environment: land acquisition and water quality,” she said. The act sets aside Florida Forever money to buy state land and expands funding for not just wastewater treatment but also stormwater runoff and canal restoration. “Since then, I’ve made it my mission to bring home as many dollars as I can for our community,” she said. “Knowing the appropriations process like I do, it’s been just very gratifying.” Raschein said she has no political ambitions once her term ends. “My intent is to remain with the state of Florida. Specifically? In what capacity? I don’t know,” she said. “Anywhere in the space of natural resources or the environment. Resiliency, that’s the topic du jour that’s not going to go away. Living in ground zero for sea level rise and climate change, I know a little bit about that.” She does have two jobs waiting at home. She consults for the locally owned
First State Bank of the Florida Keys and currently serves as project coordinator for Mariners Hospital in Tavernier and Fishermen’s Community Hospital in Marathon. “My job is to sort of connect people,” she explained. “If there’s some miscommunication, or maybe people need contacts. I have a pretty good Rolodex, given my role in my life, my state job — connecting communities with the appropriate governmental entity and things like that.” One of the biggest projects in her hospital work is connected to the biggest challenge of her public service career — the destruction wreaked by Hurricane Irma in September 2017, which decimated much of the middle and lower Keys. Fisherman’s Hospital was destroyed and construction will soon begin on a $43 million, 22-bed replacement. “Save for the current coronavirus crisis, Hurricane Irma without a doubt was the greatest challenge my community has ever faced,” Raschein said. “It was debilitating. We have people that lost everything. We lost a hospital. Much of our workforce housing was wiped away. We lost many of our loyal community residents, and it was just a loss of communications.” A poignant moment in Raschein’s farewell speech was directed at her son, Drake, who was sitting in the gallery with her husband and her parents. “I know I have missed so much. Too many baseball games, too many fishing trips and too many movie nights. I know that’s been hard for you and hard for you to understand,” she told him. “But what keeps me going is the hope that when you were older, you might re-watch this speech and understand what your mom worked on and why she has been gone so much. I hope that when you scuba dive amongst our coral reefs in Pennekamp State Park or fish off our dock in Key Largo — and when you do that with your own children decades from now — you will know that it was your mom that helped protect it for you and for them.”
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What I’ve Learned
Al Cardenas 72, Tallahassee Lobbyist, Loyal Republican, Friend to Presidents (But Not Trump) AS TOLD TO ROSANNE DUNKELBERGER
LIFE AS A CUBAN REFUGEE Both of my parents came from rural Oriente, the easternmost province in Cuba. But they moved to Havana where I was raised. I grew up in a big city with a rural heart from both parents. I came to Miami with my mother and my younger sister. My dad wasn’t allowed to leave until about a year, year and a half later. We qualified with Catholic Charities for some help. So I went to school for a couple of years in Miami at the La Salle High School where all the Operation Pedro Pan kids who had not yet been rerouted to other communities were sent. Other than that, we lived in an efficiency in South Beach. I came here at the age of 12 and, for obvious reasons, had to work from Day 1. I did what 12-year-old kids could do. I delivered newspapers in the afternoon after school. I mowed lawns and sold doughnuts door to door on weekends to help my mom out. And she would sell veils. At the time, women wore veils to church, and the nuns would let her sit in the church at a little table on Sundays and sell veils. She made a little money doing that, and then, when my dad arrived, we moved to Broward County. I was fortunate. I was pretty decent in sports. I played sports, was captain of some teams, and it was easier for me to socially integrate than for most. I kept working. I worked at a food store in the evenings and parked cars and worked in the store on the weekends. I never really stopped going to school and working until I graduated from law school. I had accepted a scholarship to go to Holy Cross University to play football and run track. But my dad, who had just arrived, had a pretty significant heart attack. So I stayed home and worked while going to college to help the family out.
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PHOTO: MaryBeth Tyson
“I’m a loyal Republican. I believe passionately in what we used to stand for and will continue to push for that. I’m not going anywhere.” SPRING 2020 INFLUENCE | 103
SEND IN THE CAVALRY! Crisis Communications Political Consulting Public Affairs
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Jeb Bush and Al Cardenas speaking at the 2013 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland. Photo: Gage Skidmore GETTING STARTED IN POLITICS It came out of nowhere for me. I was interested in politics as an observer. I would read the news and keep up with it and developed some strong personal views of the world. I remember I was in law school during the Nixon-McGovern race. I went to a debate between representatives for both candidates. The fellow for Nixon never showed up. And I was incensed. I got up and said to the dean who was running the thing, “This is not fair. I just heard one viewpoint up here.” He said, “Well, what do you have to say?” So I stood up and said a few things. The dean of students saw me in the hallway one day and said, “You have this passion for politics. Maybe you ought to consider getting involved.” It was literally a lightbulb moment because I never thought about it, but I took him up on it. And the lawyers I worked for in Toms River, New Jersey, were active in community politics. They introduced me to some people. And as a really inexperienced, foolish young man, I ran for chairman of the Republican Party in Ocean County and — by one vote — defeated a County Commissioner who had been the chairman for 15 years. I joined the Young Republicans while still in law school and planned to make my life there. I had accepted a job clerking for a federal judge and figured I’d get involved in politics in New Jersey. When my Dad passed away, I had second thoughts. I didn’t want to leave my mother, who didn’t speak much English, and my younger sister alone. So I canceled all
that involvement and moved to Miami. THE RONALD REAGAN YEARS Shortly after moving to Miami, I got a call from the Reagan campaign. A guy by the name of John Sears asked me if I’d run Reagan’s campaign in Florida as a field director. And I said, “John, I don’t really know people in Florida. I’m sure there are people better than me.” He said, “Well there are, but they’re all with Ford.” I’ll never forget that 1976 convention, when no one knew who would win. I had to drive 20-some hours to Kansas City. I was a 25-year-old delegate and didn’t have the money for a hotel, so I had to sleep on the floor of another delegate’s room. When Reagan didn’t win, everybody encouraged me to run for Congress. Bill Brock was head of the Republican National Committee at the time. Charlie Black, who is now a very close friend, was political director of the RNC. And guess who was political director of Republican party of Florida? Jack Latvala. I decided to run for Congress against an icon — Claude Pepper — and did very well. I got over 40% of the vote. It was groundbreaking because no Republican had ever done something like that in Miami. That was a time when we only had one Republican member of Congress and four Republicans in the state Senate. ON HIS DAYS AS CHAIR OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, INCLUDING THE 2000 RECOUNT I had been a member of the board of the state party since, probably, 1978. And then, in ’92, I got elected as vice chairman of the party and served for six years. And then I got elected —along with Jeb [Bush] — as state party chairman and took a sab-
batical to help the Governor and the state. I lived through the most exciting times in the state party’s history. When I was on the board of the state party, [Florida was] like everybody else in the South. We were a Democrat state, and there had only been Democrats running things since Reconstruction in the 1860s. It was pretty cool being vice chairman and then chairman of the party when we became a majority party in that period of time. It’s hard to see how it can be that exciting for anybody afterward, because reaching the pinnacle of success after being in the doldrums for over a century is hard to replicate. [The recount] was an incredible logistical project. Imagine 37 days in which we had 40-some lawsuits going on at the same time. We had 250 lawyers from all over the country that were sent to various courts to represent us, and we had given credentials to more than 8,000 members of the press. I would go to sleep at 12 or 1 if I was lucky. And then we had meetings at 6:30 in the morning with the team in Texas talking about what we would do. To sit at the petitioner’s table in the U.S. Supreme Court, for a lawyer, that was pretty cool. There were a lot of cool experiences like that. A lot of Air Force One trips, beginning with President Reagan and with both President Bushes. Riding with them in their limos, talking about things outside of politics, just a lot of fun. When I was party chairman, probably the hardest thing I had to do was to tell people, “Hey, man, we’re gonna help the other guy, because he’s got a big lead and we’ve got to be ready for the general election.” And the other toughest thing I used to have to do in a general election was to
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WHAT I’VE LEARNED tell a Republican candidate we can’t help him anymore because he’s not going to win. We have to use resources wisely in campaigns that are up in the air. It’s realistic. The candidate will never be realistic because they have so much as stake personally. But some people need to make adult decisions. ON MARRYING OUTSPOKEN PUNDIT AND TELEVISION HOST ANA NAVARRO I have a very active wife and we love going on exciting adventures. Just this year, we were at shark cages in Africa and cave diving in Mexico. We do a lot of fun things together. We talk politics sometimes at home, but most of the time we talk about a host of other things. She hosts “The View,” so she’s always having interesting people outside the realm of politics in her life. We share a pretty broad spectrum of social friends. My wife is passionate about cooking. We’ve got all these world famous chefs that are now her friends. I enjoy that as well. The only interests we don’t share is I don’t cook, and she doesn’t play golf. But beyond that, we enjoy doing things together. I’m proud of her successes. She came out of nowhere, basically, to be successful. She’s passionate about her beliefs and I’ve never considered myself a second fiddle to her. I consider myself a blessed man. I’ve got great kids. I’ve got a great wife. I’ve had a better life than I’ve deserved based on where I came from. When you feel lucky and blessed, what’s there to complain about? RECONSTRUCTING THE REPUBLICAN PARTY I’ve always been a loyal Republican until Donald Trump. I don’t care for him. I think I share a lot of Mac Stipanovich’s sentiments, but we have two different theories about how to reach the same goal — being the party that he and I grew up with and always believed in. His theory is that you have to blow up the party first to rebuild it. My theory is we have to get rid of the poison in our party and rebuild it from within. But you can’t rebuild it from ground zero. That’s not possible in America anymore. My goal is to get rid of those at the top who were responsible for the decay and be able to reconstruct it from within. Donald Trump took a party with totally different beliefs and ideas and made it his own in three years. So why can’t you reverse it in three, four years? It’s a lot harder to reverse it in a short time span if you blow it up and try to rebuild it again. That’s why I’m staying in the party. I’m a loyal Republican. I believe passionately in what we used to stand for 106 | INFLUENCE SPRING 2020
Al Cardenas with his wife, Ana Navarro. Photo: Courtesy of Al Cardenas and will continue to push for that. I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying in my party and trying to make it the party of Ronald Reagan again. PLANS FOR THE FUTURE I still plan to be active here, be part of this vibrant business in Tallahassee. But in terms of the practice of law itself, that I do in Miami and Washington and elsewhere. I plan to take a step back and dedicate myself to have a more significant sense of purpose. I’m working on a couple of alternatives. But I would hope that everything I have in life and the perspectives I’ve gained, I can share with the younger generation, especially students, and make them think about politics in a way that’s more constructive and more civil than what they’re witnessing. Most college students have only seen some of the roughest cycles in our nation’s political history over the last 10 years, and many of them don’t even know Ronald Reagan or John Kennedy or the Bushes. My goal would be, not to teach history, but hopefully spend time on the lessons I’ve learned about constructive governance and civility. We have a new generation that thinks about public service in a different way.
Now, we’re so team oriented and so oriented toward facing the opposition that we don’t spend enough time keeping an eye on the ball, which is what we can do to make our country better. The political consultant’s job is to get their candidate to win. They’ll use whatever ammunition they think they can come up with, and that’s the nature of the beast in the political election process. But in the governance process, you have to have enough discipline, enough ethics and enough patriotism to simmer that down. Once people get elected, they’ve got to understand they’re in a different phase. It seems like we’re now living in an election cycle year-round every year. We don’t really put emphasis on governance. Everything people do is posturing for the next election. We can’t govern that way. I want to spend time with young people, to revive my hopes and aspirations. There’s nothing like this country. I can tell you that having traveled the world, you have to work hard on making it better. Those who are giving up, it’s too bad. The whole idea is to fight to make things better. That’s the frame of mind I have.
(850) 205-9000
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The Big Question
Q: WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU WILL DO ONCE THE “ALLCLEAR” IS GIVEN FROM THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK? ABEL HARDING My 5:00 a.m. class at First Coast CrossFit is how I start nearly every week day and it sets the tone for what follows. Like everyone else, I’ve missed that critical part of my routine. Not just the workouts — although I’ve found myself admitting I miss heavy lifting — but more so the people. I can’t wait to throw around some weights with my friends and then circle back for a happy hour to close the day.
JORDAN CONNORS Attend Mass.
MICHAEL CORCORAN CORCORAN PARTNERS
DON GAETZ FORMER SENATE PRESIDENT Aggressive hiring to meet pent up demand for the ‘face to face’ services our businesses provide.
JENNIFER GREEN LIBERTY PARTNERS OF TALLAHASSEE Say a little prayer for the people less fortunate than me and thank God for how blessed I am.
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JIM HORNE STRATEGOS GROUP Quarantine myself from the national media and shake hands with the first 20 people I meet. And then take my grandkids to a crowded playground.
DAVID JOHNSON I will fly to, say, DC, or New York, somewhere that requires a connecting flight in Atlanta. There, I shall visit the first Delta SkyClub I see and take a photo of the hardboiled egg display that I never have and never will eat. However, I will be grateful to be back visiting them, because that will tell me I have returned to my normal.
SAL NUZZO THE JAMES MADISON INSTITUTE Uninstall Zoom from every device I own.
NOAH PRANSKY Start riding the subway again. And stop worrying about every bodily fluid I see on the sidewalks of NYC.
ILLUSTRATIONS: Bill Day
Crisscross the state to see our clients, who are some of our dearest friends; break bread together at a locally owned restaurant, tell a few stories, share a few laughs and maybe a few tears, and remind ourselves how thankful and blessed we are to have come through this experience together.
L I B E RT Y PA RT N E R S of Tallahassee, LLC
Jennifer J. Green, CAE, DPL President
Melanie S. Bostick, DPL Vice President
Timothy “Tim” Parson, DPL
Director of Government Relations
@LibertyPartners
@LibertyPartnersTLH
(850) 841-1726 | www.libertypartnersfl.com SPRING 2020 INFLUENCE | 109
We honor and thank the heroes of the war against COVID-19 — We honor thankand the nurses, heroes of thegrocery war against COVID-19 — the doctors and nurses, the and doctors the workers, the restaurant staffers, the grocery workers, the and restaurant staffers, the manufacturing and research teams, the the manufacturing research teams, the essential government workers, essentialthe government workers, the people whopackages, deliver ourand mailsoand packages, people who deliver our mail and many others. and so many others.
BECAUSE YOU KEEP GOING, YOU KEEP US GOING.
110 | INFLUENCE SPRING 2020
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