Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister Withdraws Nomination to Lead DEA & Rays Reaffirm Stadium Agreements Amid Political Feud
December 5, 2024 — This Week's Top Stories in Florida
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Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister Withdraws Nomination to Lead DEA Under President-elect Trump
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister has withdrawn his nomination to serve as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), he announced Tuesday on social media. "To have been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump is the honor of a lifetime," Chronister wrote. However, he explained, "As the gravity of this important responsibility set in, I’ve concluded that I must respectfully withdraw from consideration." He added, "There is more work to be done for the citizens of Hillsborough County and a lot of initiatives I am committed to fulfilling.” However, the New York Post reports that Chronister’s withdrawal was forced by Trump following backlash over the sheriff’s controversial 2020 arrest of Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne for holding services in violation of COVID-19 lockdown orders. Critics, including Republican lawmakers, opposed Chronister’s actions, which Trump reportedly viewed as incompatible with his administration’s principles. Last week, President-elect Donald Trump nominated the twice-elected Hillsborough County Sheriff to lead the DEA. Chronister has worked in the sheriff’s office for 32 years, serving as sheriff since 2017. Upon the announcement, he described the opportunity as “the honor of a lifetime,” and Trump lauded Chronister’s track record, highlighting his efforts to maintain public safety in Hillsborough County. Chronister, a University of Phoenix graduate and FBI National Academy alum, has overseen various initiatives, including co-chairing Tampa Bay’s Regional Domestic Security Task Force. Beyond his law enforcement career, he is married to Nikki DeBartolo, daughter of former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. Chronister boasts a net worth of $24 million, according to his state financial disclosure form. The pick highlighted President-elect Trump’s reliance on Florida’s political landscape to shape his incoming administration, solidifying the Sunshine State’s increasing influence in Washington.
Rays Reaffirm Stadium Agreements Amid Pinellas County Ultimatum
The Tampa Bay Rays have reaffirmed their commitment to the agreements surrounding a proposed $1.3 billion stadium in downtown St. Petersburg, despite delays and rising tensions with local officials. In a letter sent Friday, Rays president Matt Silverman declined to provide a definitive answer on whether they will proceed with or abandon the project but emphasized that all agreements approved in July remain in effect. He added that the organization has fulfilled its obligations and the team will await decisions by Pinellas County and the City of St. Petersburg on upcoming bond approval votes. The Rays’ reiterated stance creates a standoff between the baseball club, the County Commission, and the St. Petersburg City Council, with neither party wanting to be the first to axe the stadium project and the broader $6.5 billion Historic Gas Plant District redevelopment. The team’s response follows Pinellas County Commission Chair Kathleen Peters’ demand for clarity on whether the Rays intend to proceed with the project. Team executives had previously signaled their desire for a “new solution” after expressing frustration over delayed bond votes by local officials, which would push the stadium’s opening to 2029, increasing costs. Silverman criticized the county for potentially undermining the new deal, which included a 30-year commitment to St. Petersburg. The County Commission is slated to vote on its $312.5 million share of the funding on Dec. 17, but skepticism from newly elected members could jeopardize approval. St. Petersburg’s City Council also deferred its $287.5 million bond vote to January. Meanwhile, Rays officials have paused work on the stadium plans and the Gas Plant District redevelopment project, citing uncertainty. Despite the standoff that further clouds the future of baseball in Tampa Bay, the Rays, Pinellas County, and the City of St. Petersburg are likely to continue dialogue due to the significant economic benefits the stadium would deliver.
New Legislative Leaders Take Aim at Insurance Companies and Affordability
Florida's new Republican legislative leaders have surprised colleagues with a shift towards populist messaging, focusing on insurance reform and affordability issues. During the opening of the next legislative term, House Speaker Danny Perez (R-Miami) and Senate President Ben Albritton (R-Wauchula) delivered unexpected critiques of insurance companies and private equity firms. Perez, addressing the affordability crisis, expressed concern over inflated housing costs driven by corporations buying up homes and criticized the influence of insurance companies on state laws. Albritton warned property insurers about timely claim payments, vowing to monitor the high rate of denials as rates continue to climb. Senate Minority Leader Jason Pizzo (D-Sunny Isles Beach) commended Albritton's stance on holding private for-profit companies accountable, while House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa) noted the long-standing Democratic push for tougher stances against insurers. Speaker Perez has previously remained silent on his key priorities leading the House, adopting a broader message of pledging to “pass laws that really matter to the lives of real people facing real problems.” While affordability has emerged as a central theme, both leaders also emphasized the need for a fresh approach to lawmaking. Perez will push to introduce new House rules to limit corporate influence, close lobbying loopholes, and bring forward ethics reforms that promote transparency. Voter-supported issues such as the recent recreational marijuana and abortion rights amendments were sidelined with GOP leaders indicating no plans to address these issues. Both chambers will also seek to address the state's condominium crisis, planning to tackle it in the March session rather than through a special session.
DeSantis’ Canadian Drug Import Plan Stalls Despite FDA Approval
Nearly a year after receiving FDA approval to import lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada, Florida’s program remains inactive, despite tens of millions of dollars spent to establish it. Governor Ron DeSantis celebrated the January 2024 approval as a win against the pharmaceutical industry and its opposition to drug importation due to concerns over counterfeit medications. However, state officials have yet to provide clarity on the program’s progress. Florida’s importation plan aims to save up to $180 million annually by providing state agencies with affordable medications for Medicaid, corrections, and health departments. However, its estimated savings are minor compared to the state’s $30 billion Medicaid budget. The program targets 14 essential drugs, including treatments for cancer and AIDS to be imported for use and distribution by state agencies. Critics point to logistical and regulatory hurdles, citing difficulties in finding compliant suppliers and meeting FDA requirements. Additionally, Canadian officials and drug companies have resisted the plan, fearing domestic shortages and safety risks. Florida has already paid $50 million to LifeScience Logistics to establish storage facilities, yet not a single pill has been imported. With challenges mounting, it remains uncertain when — or if — Florida’s ambitious plan will deliver on its promise of lower drug costs.
State Lawmakers to Prioritize Cutting Red Tape for Schools
As Florida lawmakers convened in Tallahassee to organize for the 2025 legislative session, incoming Senate President Ben Albritton (R-Wauchula) reaffirmed his commitment to reducing regulatory hurdles for public schools. During the previous session, state lawmakers advanced several bills targeting what leaders deemed as excessive bureaucracy in education. While some proposals were curtailed, Albritton emphasized that deregulation remains a priority. “We led the fight to cut the red tape bogging down our public schools,” Albritton said. “Now our schools can focus less on bureaucracy and more on academics, the basics of education. Together, we can continue to lead the fight to free our public schools to compete in our new school-choice environment.” Albritton also highlighted Florida’s achievements in education, noting the state’s top ranking by U.S. News & World Report and national recognition for affordability and graduation rates in higher education. The theme continues Florida's leadership in empowering parents in educational decisions, which includes the passage of House Bill 1 in 2023 – one of the legislature’s crowning achievements. The law brought a major expansion of school choice to the state, providing vouchers to nearly all school-aged students to attend private schools or to pay for homeschooling resources. Many Republican lawmakers, including Albritton, have stressed the importance of families, rather than government, determining children's education and curriculum.
Citizens Insurance Denies Over Half of Floridians' Claims, Analysis Finds
Florida's state-run Citizens Property Insurance paid fewer homeowner claims than any other insurer in the state last year, according to a recent analysis by Weiss Ratings. The independent insurance ratings agency found that Citizens denied or closed without payment over half of all claims filed in 2022, surpassing even major private insurers like State Farm and Allstate, who closed roughly 46% of claims without payment. More than 50% of claims filed with Citizens — around 17,000 in total — were either denied or fell below policyholders’ deductibles. Weiss Ratings founder Martin D. Weiss, a frequent critic of the state’s insurance industry, called the low rate of claim payouts "unforgivable," urging a thorough investigation into Citizens’ practices. However, the insurer does not track specific reasons for claim denials. Amid significant challenges for Florida's insurance market, Citizens has absorbed a surge in policies — tripling to 1.4 million in recent years — as private insurers have exited or reduced coverage. At the same time, Citizens has aggressively shifted policies to private carriers and raised rates, with a 14% increase proposed for next year.
Car Strikes Lead to Record Panther Deaths in 2024
Florida's endangered panther population faces a critical threat as vehicle collisions account for over 75% of deaths in 2024. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports 30 panther fatalities this year, with 23 caused by car strikes, marking one of the deadliest periods since 2018. This trend aligns with previous years, though 2016 saw a peak of 33 car-related deaths. Environmental groups attribute this grim milestone to rapid development in southwest Florida, home to most of the estimated 200 remaining panthers. Conservationists warn of increasing fatalities as urban expansion encroaches on panther habitats. They advocate for wildlife crossings and stricter development regulations to protect the endangered species as their habitat diminishes.
Developer of St. Petersburg's Tallest Building Plans New Tower
The developer of St. Petersburg’s tallest building, the Residences at 400 Central, has announced plans for another high-rise near downtown’s Mirror Lake. John Catsimatidis Sr., founder of New York-based Red Apple Group, confirmed the company is under contract to purchase a 0.94-acre site at Fifth Street and Third Avenue North. The site, formerly owned by bitcoin mining company Hyperscale Data, has city approval for a 23-story mixed-use development. The proposed tower would include 285 residential units, 10,006 square feet of commercial space, and a 282-space parking garage. Hyperscale demolished seven apartment buildings previously on the site but recently opted to sell, citing a strategic shift toward data centers. The proposed tower is expected to rise nearly 300 feet, shorter than the 49-story, 515-foot new mixed-use building at 400 Central that is set to open in Summer 2025. Red Apple Group plans to move forward with the existing approvals for the site, avoiding a lengthy and potentially contentious approval process. Closing on the property is expected by year’s end.
Rays Revise 2025 Schedule to Beat Tampa’s Summer Heat
With the Tampa Bay Rays set to play the 2025 baseball season at Steinbrenner Field, the open-air spring training home of the New York Yankees, the team has reworked next year’s schedule to avoid problematic summer weather. Swapping summer home games with the Angels and Twins for cooler spring dates, the Rays hope to avoid Tampa’s sweltering weather in July and August. Originally set for Anaheim, an April 7-9 series will now take place at Steinbrenner Field from April 8-10. In return, the Rays will play in Anaheim from August 4-6. Similarly, a May 26-28 series against the Twins will shift to Tampa, while the Rays visit Minneapolis over July 4-6. These changes allow the Rays to play 37 of their first 58 games at home during the more temperate spring months, avoiding the especially hot or rained-out games at their temporary home next year. However, the rescheduling results in a road-heavy summer schedule with 35 of 51 games away from Tampa in July and August.
Tampa Port CEO's Pay Reaches Nearly $1 Million
Paul Anderson, CEO of Port Tampa Bay, is set to earn almost $1 million this year, making him the highest-paid port CEO in the state. Anderson's pay increase is largely due to a generous bonus attributed to the port's rapid growth and financial success. The port's board voted 4-1 to raise Anderson's base pay from $597,000 to $636,000, with an additional performance bonus of $350,000. This pay increase surpasses that of his counterparts in Miami and Jacksonville, with Jacksonville's port CEO earning a base salary of $462,500 last year and PortMiami's CEO earning $314,150. Pay for Port Canaveral’s CEO was closer at $589,050 and a $100,000 bonus in 2023. Under Anderson's leadership, Port Tampa Bay has seen significant economic growth, with its economic impact doubling from 2015 to 2024. The business output generated a $34.6 billion impact in 2024. The port handles 35 million tons of cargo annually and supports over 192,000 jobs with an average salary of $74,350.
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