DeSantis ousts campaign manager, pivots campaign & Florida's AP Psychology debacle
August 11, 2023 — This Week's Top Stories in Florida
Welcome to this week’s edition of Floridian Today, a newsletter about all things Florida — from politics, business, real estate, and climate. Reporting from the Sunshine State, these are the most important stories you need to know. To never miss an update, subscribe here:
Here’s the latest from Florida…
DeSantis ousts campaign manager, expected to take more moderate approach
Republican U.S. presidential candidate Ron DeSantis is shaking up his campaign team amidst a slump in polls, a fundraising crunch, and increasing pressure from donors. DeSantis has removed his campaign manager, Generra Peck, and replaced her with James Uthmeier, a close adviser who has served as the governor’s chief of staff since October 2021. This attempt to revitalize DeSantis’ struggling bid to secure the party's 2024 nomination comes after a recent firing of nearly 40 employees and reshuffling key positions within the campaign. The change was prompted by concerns over DeSantis's lagging performance in the polls, with his national support plummeting to 13%, compared to the commanding lead held by former President Donald Trump at 47%. Last week, Robert Bigelow, the largest individual donor supporting the Republican governor’s candidacy, indicated he would not make additional financial contributions until a more moderate approach was adopted to broaden his appeal. Generra Peck had been serving as campaign manager since DeSantis's candidacy announcement in May. However, critics argue that the reshuffling might not be enough to turn things around. Critics and political analysts suggest that the governor will need to make more substantial changes in his campaign strategy and messaging to attract a broader base of support
Education Department allows AP Psychology course to be taught, following warning from College Board
Florida's education department has clarified that Advanced Placement Psychology courses can be taught in their "entirety" despite concerns over new state laws restricting discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity. Late last week, State Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr., sent a letter to school superintendents assuring them that AP Psychology can be taught in an “age and developmentally appropriate” manner. This announcement came one day after the College Board advised districts not to teach the course due to potential conflicts with new state laws. The College Board, which oversees and develops the curriculum, has welcomed the department's “revised guidance,” expressing their hope Florida teachers can teach the entire AP course without penalty. The uncertainty over whether the course could be taught arose after the Florida Board of Education approved a rule that expanded the Parental Rights in Education Law in April to apply to grades K-12, which restricts specific classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity. Last week, just days before the start of the 2023 school year, College Board released guidance to school districts not to offer AP Psychology out of concern that it would violate state law. However, the course remains listed in the state course catalog and “will remain on the course code directory making it available to Florida students,” according to Diaz. The education department accused College Board of “preventing students from taking the AP Psychology Course” and “playing games with Florida students,” in the released statement. AP Psychology is one of the most popular classes in Florida, with over 28,000 students taking the course last year for college credits.
Tampa’s proposed tax hike
Mayor Jane Castor has announced a double-digit tax rate increase and a $1.92 billion budget proposal for Tampa, citing the urgent need to address the city's challenges, including transportation, housing, public safety, and parks. The proposed 16% property tax hike (from 6.2076 mills to 7.2076 mills) would add $45 million to the city's general revenue fund, equating to approximately an additional $230 tax bill for the average homeowner. Mayor Castor emphasized that the rate increase is crucial to addressing the demands of the city’s growing population and the piling list of necessary maintenance projects. If the City Council approves the proposed tax hike, it would be the second time Tampa has seen an increase since 1989. The proposed budget reflects a significant increase in funding for transportation infrastructure, aiming to triple spending on projects like sidewalks, repaving roadways, and installing more traffic signals. Castor's plan also allocates $9.5 million in additional funds to the Tampa Police Department and Tampa Fire Rescue, which would go towards hiring more officers and paramedics, refurbishing fire stations, and delivering more tools for community policing, homeless outreach, and managing mental health issues. Furthermore, the budget would add $5.7 million for parks, athletic facilities, programming, and conservation to meet deferred maintenance and program backlogs. As Tampa grapples with rising rents and a lack of affordable housing, exacerbated by the influx of new residents, Castor's proposal aims to put forth $9.1 million more for housing. The spending plan has received mixed reactions from City Council members, with public hearings scheduled for September prior to the budget year that begins on October 1st.
DeSantis rejects Trump’s election lies
Gov. Ron DeSantis openly rejected the election fraud theories propagated by former President Donald Trump in his attempt to overturn the 2020 election. For the first time, DeSantis dismissed these claims as "unsubstantiated" during a campaign event in Iowa, telling a reporter that “[a]ll those theories that were put out did not prove to be true.” Then, on Sunday, in his first network interview since launching his presidential campaign, DeSantis again refuted Trump’s “stolen” election argument saying, “of course he lost. Joe Biden’s the president." However, in both instances, the governor highlighted a number of issues he saw with the 2020 election, including the ubiquitous availability of mail-in ballots and the use of third-party groups to collect and return voters’ ballots. But he clarified that while he believed the election was not conducted in an ideal manner, it was not tantamount to claims that the election was stolen. This answer from the Republican presidential candidate on his rival’s oft-repeated claims of a fraudulent election is his most candid to date and a sharp contrast from his usual reluctance to respond directly to the allegations. DeSantis' statements came one day after Trump pled not guilty to new federal charges related to his efforts to subvert the 2020 election results and conspiring to remain in office. While the Republican governor is a leading rival for the GOP presidential nomination, he hasn't exhibited the same level of forceful criticism towards Trump as others in the party.
State-backed Citizens Insurance to move up to 184,000 policies to private market
State Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky has given the nod for up to 184,000 home insurance policies held by Citizens Property Insurance Corp. to transition to private insurers, marking a significant move in Florida's insurance landscape. The state-backed insurer of last resort, Citizens, has ballooned to more than 1.3 million policies, up from 486,000 at the end of July 2020. Regulators gave approval to proposals by five insurers to assume varying numbers of policies from Citizens starting in October. Slide Insurance Co. is set to take on the largest number at 100,000, while others will assume between 10,000 and 30,000 each. The shift is part of a longstanding effort to shed policies from Citizens to the private market; this is aimed at reducing the state's financial risks in the event of a natural catastrophe that could put taxpayers on the hook for paying the company’s liabilities.
DeSantis targets China in his "Declaration of Economic Independence” plan
At a campaign event in New Hampshire, Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis unveiled his "Declaration of Economic Independence," a ten-point policy plan that targets China, taxes, regulations, spending, and education to boost the economy and advocate for the middle class. Aiming to address the growing threat posed by China, the plan attempts to level the playing field to protect American businesses and interests by ending China's preferential trade status, banning imports of goods made from stolen intellectual property, and restricting critical technology sharing with China. DeSantis also addressed wasteful federal government spending, vowing to make cuts and introduce work requirements for welfare programs. He believes that maintaining low taxes, reducing bureaucracy, and encouraging investment will result in achieving his 3% annual economic growth benchmark. The Florida governor is also taking aim at "useless degrees" as part of his plan by holding universities accountable for the loans their students accrue. Instead, he seeks to promote vocational and apprenticeship programs that focus on educating skilled artisans and engineers instead of "politicized administrators and bureaucrats." The ten-point economic plan is the third major policy proposal from DeSantis, who has faced challenges in his campaign, including staff reductions due to financial constraints.
Citrus growers continue to see crops decline
Alico, Inc., a major player in Florida's citrus industry, reported a significant decline in its harvest, with production decreasing by 51.4% during the 2022-2023 citrus season. The decrease in harvest was attributed to the impact of Hurricane Ian, which battered the region, affecting the company's operations. The Fort Myers-based citrus grower harvested around 2.7 million boxes of fruit in the nine-month period ending June 30, as detailed in a U.S. SEC filing. Despite the substantial drop in production, Alico fared relatively better than Florida's broader citrus industry, which faced its worst season in nearly a century due to natural disasters, citrus greening disease, and overall worsening conditions fueled by climate change.
Florida’s recreational marijuana ballot initiative imperiled
The state’s efforts to introduce a recreational marijuana initiative, backed by over a million valid signatures, is facing uncertainty as Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody asserts that the proposed constitutional amendment is misleading and therefore invalid. The initiative, titled as “Adult Personal Use of Marijuana,” seeks to allow non-medical marijuana consumption for adults aged 21 and above. However, Moody argues that the initiative contradicts federal law and that the ballot summary's wording is deceptive. She maintains that since federal law continues to classify marijuana possession as illegal, the amendment "would not actually allow anything." The dispute underscores the complex interplay between state and federal marijuana regulations and the intricate legal and political challenges that surround the push for cannabis legalization and Florida officials who oppose it.
July temperatures in Tampa break records for the second straight year
July proved to be the hottest month on record in Tampa, setting new temperature records and surpassing the highs set just last year. A combination of persistent westerly wind and warm overnight temperatures contributed to the scorching weather. Tampa's average temperature for the month was 86.5 degrees, slightly higher than the previous record of 86.3 degrees set in July 2022, according to the National Weather Service. The abnormally dry weather pattern played a significant role in setting this record, leading to severe or extreme drought conditions in parts of Southwest Florida and Tampa Bay. The high overnight temperatures, reaching an average of 79.7 degrees, also broke the record for the hottest July nights ever recorded. This trend of rising temperatures is not unique to Tampa, as global temperatures have been increasing steadily over the years. A recent Climate Action and Equity Plan found that the average annual temperature in Tampa has increased by 2.5 degrees since records began in 1891, compared to the 2-degree increase seen globally. Last year was the warmest year on record for Tampa, and nine out of the ten warmest years on record for the city have occurred in the last decade.
DeSantis v. Newsom: Governors agree to debate this fall
In response to a year-old challenge, Gov. Ron DeSantis has accepted California Governor Gavin Newsom's offer to debate following a year of tense public exchanges. While appearing on Fox News, the Florida governor confirmed his participation in a debate scheduled to occur this fall, with either November 8 or 10 as potential dates. It will take place in one of three battleground states: Nevada, Georgia, or North Carolina. Although there won't be a live audience, the 90-minute segment will be broadcast live on Fox News. The debate will be moderated by Hannity, featuring alternating questions for each governor and specific time limits for responses. Newsom initially proposed the debate last fall after a series of clashes on issues such as immigration, abortion, COVID-19, and further escalated in June when DeSantis organized two migrant flights to Sacramento, California. Meanwhile, the debate could prove to be a much-needed boost to DeSantis’ flagging presidential campaign which faces declining poll numbers and reduced fundraising.
Is child health care in Florida failing? The alarming rise in low birthweight babies
In Florida, a quiet but urgent crisis is unfolding – a surge in the number of low birthweight newborns. In 2021, 9% of babies born in Florida weighed less than 5½ pounds, a concerning increase from 8.7% in 2019. This upward trajectory is deeply concerning, as birthweight is a powerful indicator of an infant's overall health and resilience. The state’s 9% rate of low-birthweight babies surpasses the national average of 8.5%. These infants face not only an immediate struggle but also higher morbidity and mortality risks in the first year of life. The situation underscores the vital connection between infant health, maternal well-being, and family health. A report by March of Dimes highlighted that nearly a quarter of Florida's mothers lacked adequate prenatal care, with the state consistently trailing the nation in terms of doctors caring for pregnant mothers. Despite Florida ranking fifth in education, its child "well-being" is ranked at a dismal 31st in the nation. The state's economic well-being, health initiatives, and community support all lag behind, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2023 KIDS COUNT Data Book report. With early prenatal care needing to be prioritized and expanded, the state allocated $12.7 million in its 2023 budget for telehealth care – a lifeline for expectant mothers in underserved areas – to help address the crisis, but health experts warn much more needs to be done.
UF plans $20M artificial intelligence center in Tampa Bay
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is set to construct a new Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence in Hillsborough County. The $20 million facility, to be located in Wimauma, will span 34,000 square feet and serve as a hub for research on artificial intelligence in agriculture. The center will include office, research, and meeting spaces, and it will also provide housing for around 32 graduate students. UF/IFAS aims to become a leader in applying AI to agriculture, focusing on robotics, precision agriculture, and plant breeding. The center's efforts will accelerate agricultural technologies and benefit various agricultural enterprises in the region and throughout the state.
Local governments grapple with less control over development decisions
Municipalities across the state are facing challenges due to a new state law that limits their control over affordable housing decisions. Under the Live Local Act passed earlier this year by lawmakers, the state now dictates the zoning, density, and height of certain developments with affordable housing, taking away local discretion and public input. The new law strives to address the housing affordability crisis by removing barriers and streamlining the bureaucratic process at the local level. As a result, cities and towns have worked to undo some of their housing and development rules that conflict with provisions of the Live Local Act. In St. Petersburg, the city council repealed its tenants’ bill of rights that protected renter’s source of income and sexual orientation from being discriminated against by landlords, among other safeguards preempted by the state. The new law provides $811 million for affordable housing programs throughout the state, including $150 million in recurring competitive funds for municipalities. But measures like rent control are preempted and developers are permitted to build affordable housing up to the maximum height and density under specific zoning without local input. This means any affordable housing project with a minimum of 40% of units dedicated to serving families making 120% or less of the area median income can build up to the highest density and height allowed in the city in commercial, mixed-use, or industrial-zoned areas. Under this law, a project – regardless of how controversial it may be for surrounding neighbors – can be approved without a public hearing or vote by a governing body. While communities still have some influence over setbacks, parking, and other elements like stormwater systems and trees, the state law has significantly restricted the local government's decision-making power, eroding home-rule authority and causing further angst among city officials.
Democrats urge former Florida Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell to challenge Sen. Rick Scott
An increasing number of Democrats and Democratic groups are urging former Florida Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell to challenge incumbent Republican Sen. Rick Scott for his seat in the 2024 election, as reported by Politico. With her Hispanic background and strong fundraising abilities, Mucarsel-Powell has gained support from congressional Democrats and aligned groups, aiming to deliver a seat back to Democrats after Sen. Bill Nelson lost his seat to Scott in 2018. Mucarsel-Powell represented portions of Miami and South Florida in the U.S. House from 2019 until 2021, following her unsuccessful re-election bid. She has not yet responded to the rumors on whether she will run, but her potential candidacy is being seen as a significant opportunity to challenge Scott, whom Democrats view as vulnerable.
Beloved Tampa restaurants close despite popularity
South Tampa is preparing to say farewell to the iconic eatery, Datz, located on S MacDill Avenue, as they close their doors following its sale to a Tampa-based development group. Also impacted by the sale is specialty bakery Dough, which was located next door, and shuttered its doors on July 20. Datz, which opened in 2009, gained rapid popularity for its inventive twists on comfort food classics. Dough, the accompanying bakery, became known for its playful ambiance and sweet treats. Datz is set to shut down on August 27. The decision by the owners to sell the restaurants, as well as the surrounding areas housing Datz Restaurant Group's warehouse and offices, was influenced by the timing and the booming real estate market in South Tampa. The properties were sold for $6.2 million. Both locations are slated for renovations, with Datz transforming into a new restaurant and Dough evolving into a commercial recreational space, according to reports by the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
Flagler Co. begins 2-year, $22.6M high school expansion
Flagler County has broken ground on a $22.6 million, two-year expansion project at Matanzas High School, which is the district’s largest in nearly 15 years. The project consists of a 20,000-square-foot addition and 11,000 square feet of existing building renovations that aim to address growing school enrollment and will delay the district’s need to build a new high school for a few years. The expansion and renovations are estimated to be completed by July 2025, resulting in new classrooms, an enlarged media center, and more cafeteria space.
Thanks for reading this edition of Floridian Today. To never miss an update, subscribe for free:
In the meantime, if you learned something or found this read interesting, please consider sharing it to grow our community!