Subject: dailies 4.29.16
From: "Brinster, Jeremy" <[email-masked]>
To: "Kasnetz, Joel" <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2016 08:26:45 -0700

DOUG DUCEY

Budget

Capitol Media Services: Doug Ducey Was "Counting On Rank-And-File Lawmakers To Restore Some Of The Cuts In Public School Funding," But Ducey Negotiated The Education Cuts Himself And "Shares At Least Part Of The Blame For Why The Process Has Dragged On." "Gov. Doug Ducey is counting on rank-and-file lawmakers to restore some of the cuts in public school funding -- cuts that are in the budget deal he negotiated with Republican legislative leaders. And there are signs that's going to happen. A tentative agreement being negotiated late Thursday would reverse a year-old decision by lawmakers to change how the state calculates aid to schools. The result would be to restore money that schools would have lost in the agreement announced earlier this week. The deal being worked on also would scrap a proposed change in law that would penalize districts which use their own taxpayer dollars to construct needed new schools. 'We're very close,' the governor said in a Tweet. But Ducey shares at least part of the blame for why the process has dragged on. Gubernatorial press aide Daniel Scarpinato acknowledged his boss agreed to the $9.58 billion spending package unveiled earlier this week. That plan already has gained approval of the Senate Appropriations Committee on a party-line vote." [Capitol Media Services, 4/29/16<http://azdailysun.com/news/local/ducey-lawmakers-looking-to-restore-education-cuts/article_88edd330-aee7-5640-b532-9da071d51e03.html>]

Doug Ducey Aide: "The Governor Has Made It Very Clear That Schools Need To See More Money Moving Ahead...And He Is Confident That The Result And What Comes Out At The End Through The Budget Negotiations Will Be Something Very Satisfactory To The Schools." "The bottom line is that K-12 funding next year under the deal Ducey agreed to would have been $21 million less than what the schools would otherwise get automatically just from enrollment and inflation. Scarpinato said Thursday that Arizonans should not be alarmed -- or read too much -- into the fact that his boss was a party to the package, including the cuts to education. 'This is a framework for legislative leadership to take to members,' he said. 'The governor has made it very clear that schools need to see more money moving ahead,' Scarpinato continued. 'And he is confident that the result and what comes out at the end through the budget negotiations will be something very satisfactory to the schools.'" [Capitol Media Services, 4/29/16<http://azdailysun.com/news/local/ducey-lawmakers-looking-to-restore-education-cuts/article_88edd330-aee7-5640-b532-9da071d51e03.html>]

Capitol Media Services: "The Bottom Line Is That K-12 Funding Next Year Under The Deal Ducey Agreed To Would Have Been $21 Million Less Than What The Schools Would Otherwise Get Automatically Just From Enrollment And Inflation." "The bottom line is that K-12 funding next year under the deal Ducey agreed to would have been $21 million less than what the schools would otherwise get automatically just from enrollment and inflation. Scarpinato said Thursday that Arizonans should not be alarmed -- or read too much -- into the fact that his boss was a party to the package, including the cuts to education. 'This is a framework for legislative leadership to take to members,' he said. 'The governor has made it very clear that schools need to see more money moving ahead,' Scarpinato continued. 'And he is confident that the result and what comes out at the end through the budget negotiations will be something very satisfactory to the schools.'" [Capitol Media Services, 4/29/16<http://azdailysun.com/news/local/ducey-lawmakers-looking-to-restore-education-cuts/article_88edd330-aee7-5640-b532-9da071d51e03.html>]

Capitol Media Services: Doug Ducey's Aide "Did Not Dispute That Ducey, In Negotiating With Legislative Leaders, Did Not Hold Out For The Larger K-12 Spending He Now Says He Wants." "Scarpinato said Ducey wants any final plan means more than just a larger bottom-line number. He said the governor wants Ducey wants to be sure that individual school districts have 'a net increase in available dollars.' The gubernatorial aide did not dispute that Ducey, in negotiating with legislative leaders, did not hold out for the larger K-12 spending he now says he wants. But he insisted that Ducey was quite aware that there are Republican legislators who, like he, would find that plan unacceptable and insist on the changes that are now being negotiated." [Capitol Media Services, 4/29/16<http://azdailysun.com/news/local/ducey-lawmakers-looking-to-restore-education-cuts/article_88edd330-aee7-5640-b532-9da071d51e03.html>]

Koch Bros

HEADLINE: "$5 Million In Arizona Higher Education Funding Is Going To Koch-Backed 'Freedom Schools.'" [Think Progress, 4/28/16<http://thinkprogress.org/education/2016/04/28/3773610/arizona-freedom-schools/>]

Social Media

Doug Ducey: "My Sincerest Condolences Governor @Claudiapavlovic On The Passing Of Your Father. Our Thoughts And Prayers Are With You & Your Family." [@dougducey, Twitter, 4/28/16<https://twitter.com/dougducey/status/725833887188803584>]
Solar

Solar

Associated Press: Doug Ducey Helped Negotiate  "A Deal Between The Nation's Largest Solar Company And Arizona's Biggest Utility Announced...[That] Means Competing Measures Asking Voters About How To Treat Rooftop Solar Power Are Being Withdrawn." "A deal between the nation's largest solar company and Arizona's biggest utility announced Thursday means competing measures asking voters about how to treat rooftop solar power are being withdrawn. The agreement between SolarCity and Arizona Public Service Co. puts an end to an increasingly public fight pitting the utility against solar companies, for now. The two sides agreed to mediation over how solar customers are paid for the power they produce on their rooftops. Gov. Doug Ducey and lawmakers negotiated with the two sides and the governor's office will participate in the talks. The hope is that other utilities and solar firms will eventually sign on." [Associated Press, 4/28/16<http://www.abc15.com/news/state/deal-ends-fight-between-solarcity-and-aps-for-now>]

Associated Press: Doug Ducey Helped Negotiate A Deal Between The Nation's Largest Solar Company And Arizona's Largest Utility "In Response To A Solarcity-Backed Citizens' Initiative Mandating That Utilities Pay Homeowners With Rooftop Solar Panels The Full Retail Price For Power They Send Back To The Grid." "The two sides agreed to mediation over how solar customers are paid for the power they produce on their rooftops. Gov. Doug Ducey and lawmakers negotiated with the two sides and the governor's office will participate in the talks. The hope is that other utilities and solar firms will eventually sign on. The deal was announced by Sen. Debbie Lesko, R-Peoria, less than an hour after Republicans in the Arizona Senate took steps to send Arizona voters measures mandating separate rates for rooftop solar users and regulating solar leasing companies as utilities. That was in response to a SolarCity-backed citizens' initiative mandating that utilities pay homeowners with rooftop solar panels the full retail price for power they send back to the grid." [Associated Press, 4/28/16<http://www.abc15.com/news/state/deal-ends-fight-between-solarcity-and-aps-for-now>]

Trump/Cruz

KJZZ: Arizona State Treasurer And Trump Supporter Jeff Dewit Said Doug Ducey's Staff Was Pushing The Opportunity To Proxy Vote At Local GOP Meetings, "Allowing Cruz Supporters To Pick Up State Delegate Slots." "DeWit says in the local meetings to select the state delegates, voting policies varied locally, which he said benefited Cruz. Some meetings allowed 'proxy' votes for absent precinct committeemen, while others did not. DeWit said the variation was often used in ways to benefit Cruz, allowing Cruz supporters to pick up state delegate slots. DeWit claims Governor Doug Ducey's office staff helped with those efforts." [KJZZ, 4/29/16<http://kjzz.org/content/299251/trump-cruz-camps-battle-delegates-state-gop-convention>]

Arizona State Treasurer And Trump Supporter Jeff Dewit: "The Ducey Staff People Who Work In The Governor's Office Have Been At These Meetings Pushing Ted Cruz's Slate... They Have Said That Their Goal Is To The Ted Cruz Delegates Elected." "'The Ducey staff people who work in the Governor's office have been at these meetings pushing Ted Cruz's slate,' DeWit said. 'They have said that their goal is to the Ted Cruz delegates elected. The Governor wants to be the chairman, and from what we have heard, he wants to turn the delegation to Cruz on the second vote. And so we are actively working to keep that from happening.'" [KJZZ, 4/29/16<http://kjzz.org/content/299251/trump-cruz-camps-battle-delegates-state-gop-convention>]

Arizona State Treasurer And Trump Supporter Jeff Dewit On Arizona's Delegation To The GOP Convention: "The Governor Wants To Be The Chairman, And From What We Have Heard, He Wants To Turn The Delegation To Cruz On The Second Vote." "'The Ducey staff people who work in the Governor's office have been at these meetings pushing Ted Cruz's slate,' DeWit said. 'They have said that their goal is to the Ted Cruz delegates elected. The Governor wants to be the chairman, and from what we have heard, he wants to turn the delegation to Cruz on the second vote. And so we are actively working to keep that from happening.'" [KJZZ, 4/29/16<http://kjzz.org/content/299251/trump-cruz-camps-battle-delegates-state-gop-convention>]

KJZZ: "Ducey Himself Is One Of The Candidates To Be A National Delegate Along With Other Known Republican Leaders, Including Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio." "Ducey's office did not return a request for comment, but the Governor has not publicly endorsed a candidate. Ducey himself is one of the candidates to be a national delegate along with other known Republican leaders, including Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio." [KJZZ, 4/29/16<http://kjzz.org/content/299251/trump-cruz-camps-battle-delegates-state-gop-convention>]

RICK SCOTT

Florida Economy

Rick Scott On Florida: "Our Wage Growth Rate Is Faster Than The Country By 40%. The Labor Force Growth Rate Is 50% Faster." SCOTT: "Our wage growth rate is faster than the country by 40%. The labor force growth rate is 50% faster. So we're actually doing really well. But I want to keep it up. I want every Florida family to have a great job." CNBC: "And you believe, I would assume, that raising the minimum wage by large increments if at all means lower employment overall." SCOTT:  "The study that says that California's raise will -- they'll lose 700,000 jobs. And it hurts the people they say they're going to help...I want to make sure every business has the opportunity to succeed because they're the ones that create jobs." [Power Lunch, CNBC, 4/28/16; VIDEO<https://toolbox.dnc.org/?tool_name=vantage%20uploader&path=vantageuploader.dnc.org/videos/shared_show?jwt=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJpYXQiOjE0NjE4NzE2NTIsImVtYWlsIjoiamFrdWJpZWNtQGRuYy5vcmciLCJpZCI6MzEzMDUwLCJkb3dubG9hZGFibGUiOnRydWV9.fhng5gDvlFI8YPO-hi-fA-7eIcCnNU4XZTGOQzISBRY>]

Minimum Wage

Rick Scott: ".@Jerrybrowngov I Look Forward To Coming To CA To Tell Businesses Why They Need To Move To Florida." [@FLGovScott, Twitter, 4/28/16<https://twitter.com/FLGovScott/status/725820387058130944>]

Rick Scott: ".@Jerrybrowngov FL Has No Income Tax - CA Is Up 13.3%!  I Am Coming To CA To Tell CA Businesses They Will Do Better In FL." [@FLGovScott, Twitter, 4/28/16<https://twitter.com/FLGovScott/status/725820533946892292>]

CNBC: Defending Florida's $8.05 Minimum Wage, Rick Scott Said "If You Want A Job, If You Want To Build A Global Business, Florida Is The Place Where You Want To Build Your Business Because We Understand What Business People Need." CNBC: "What is the minimum wage in Florida?" SCOTT: "It's $8.05. So the campaign is basically, 'move to Florida.' If you want a job, if you want to build a global business, Florida is the place where you want to build your business because we understand what business people need." [Power Lunch, CNBC, 4/28/16; VIDEO<https://toolbox.dnc.org/?tool_name=vantage%20uploader&path=vantageuploader.dnc.org/videos/shared_show?jwt=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJpYXQiOjE0NjE4NzE2NTIsImVtYWlsIjoiamFrdWJpZWNtQGRuYy5vcmciLCJpZCI6MzEzMDUwLCJkb3dubG9hZGFibGUiOnRydWV9.fhng5gDvlFI8YPO-hi-fA-7eIcCnNU4XZTGOQzISBRY>]

Rick Scott Refused To Answer Whether Or Not He Believed There Should Be A Minimum Wage At All. CNBC: "Should there be -- it's something we talked about from time to time here on CNBC -- should there be a minimum wage at all?" SCOTT: "Well, here's what we know. We know that as we raise it, the Congressional Budget Office said if it's raised to $10.10 that would be 500,000 jobs lost around the country. Now we know in California, if they raise it to $15 that's 700,000 jobs. So what I want to do is focus on what do we do to compete globally? We have to have lower taxes. We have to have less regulation. We have to give businesses the opportunity to compete globally. If we do, we're going to get more jobs, and that's what I want in my state." CNBC: "But philosophically, I'm asking a broad question there. Should an employee be able to work for whatever wage they think is fair for the job that's being offered to them and should an employer be able to pay whatever they think would attract the kind of worker they need?" SCOTT:  "Well, we already have the minimum wage. I don't think the minimum wage is going to go away. My focus is, put our state in the best position that we're in the best position. I don't think the minimum wage is going to go away. I know what California is doing with their taxes, with their minimum wage, with their regulation, they're the worst state to do business in. They are going to continue to lose jobs. Florida is going to continue to win jobs." [Power Lunch, CNBC, 4/28/16; VIDEO<https://toolbox.dnc.org/?tool_name=vantage%20uploader&path=vantageuploader.dnc.org/videos/shared_show?jwt=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJpYXQiOjE0NjE4NzE2NTIsImVtYWlsIjoiamFrdWJpZWNtQGRuYy5vcmciLCJpZCI6MzEzMDUwLCJkb3dubG9hZGFibGUiOnRydWV9.fhng5gDvlFI8YPO-hi-fA-7eIcCnNU4XZTGOQzISBRY>]

Rick Scott: "I Know What California Is Doing With Their Taxes, With Their Minimum Wage, With Their Regulation, They're The Worst State To Do Business In. They Are Going To Continue To Lose Jobs." CNBC: "But philosophically, I'm asking a broad question there. Should an employee be able to work for whatever wage they think is fair for the job that's being offered to them and should an employer be able to pay whatever they think would attract the kind of worker they need?" SCOTT:  "Well, we already have the minimum wage. I don't think the minimum wage is going to go away. My focus is, put our state in the best position that we're in the best position. I don't think the minimum wage is going to go away. I know what California is doing with their taxes, with their minimum wage, with their regulation, they're the worst state to do business in. They are going to continue to lose jobs. Florida is going to continue to win jobs." [Power Lunch, CNBC, 4/28/16; VIDEO<https://toolbox.dnc.org/?tool_name=vantage%20uploader&path=vantageuploader.dnc.org/videos/shared_show?jwt=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJpYXQiOjE0NjE4NzE2NTIsImVtYWlsIjoiamFrdWJpZWNtQGRuYy5vcmciLCJpZCI6MzEzMDUwLCJkb3dubG9hZGFibGUiOnRydWV9.fhng5gDvlFI8YPO-hi-fA-7eIcCnNU4XZTGOQzISBRY>]

Hillary Clinton

Rick Scott On Hillary Clinton: "We Know Her Position. She's Not Going To Secure Our Borders. She's Not Going To Build Our Military. She's Not Going To Destroy ISIS And She Doesn't Care About Job Creation."  CNBC: "You're one of only three sitting governors to have endorsed Donald Trump. Why do you think he has so few endorsements so far at your level? SCOTT: "You know, what's interesting is you go back to 2010. I got the fewest endorsements but I got the most number of votes, and so I became the governor. I think Donald Trump is in the exact same position. He has the fewest endorsements but he has got the votes. He's going to become the next president. Look, endorsements don't change races. What changes races is who can get to the voters? Donald Trump believes in job creation. He believes in securing our border. And look, this is between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. We know her position. She's not going to secure our borders. She's not going to build our military. She's not going to destroy ISIS and she doesn't care about job creation." [Power Lunch, CNBC, 4/28/16; VIDEO<https://toolbox.dnc.org/?tool_name=vantage%20uploader&path=vantageuploader.dnc.org/videos/shared_show?jwt=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJpYXQiOjE0NjE4NzE2NTIsImVtYWlsIjoiamFrdWJpZWNtQGRuYy5vcmciLCJpZCI6MzEzMDUwLCJkb3dubG9hZGFibGUiOnRydWV9.fhng5gDvlFI8YPO-hi-fA-7eIcCnNU4XZTGOQzISBRY>]

Trump

Rick Scott: "Donald Trump Believes In Job Creation. He Believes In Securing Our Border." CNBC: "You're one of only three sitting governors to have endorsed Donald Trump. Why do you think he has so few endorsements so far at your level? SCOTT: "You know, what's interesting is you go back to 2010. I got the fewest endorsements but I got the most number of votes, and so I became the governor. I think Donald Trump is in the exact same position. He has the fewest endorsements but he has got the votes. He's going to become the next president. Look, endorsements don't change races. What changes races is who can get to the voters? Donald Trump believes in job creation. He believes in securing our border. And look, this is between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. We know her position. She's not going to secure our borders. She's not going to build our military. She's not going to destroy ISIS and she doesn't care about job creation." [Power Lunch, CNBC, 4/28/16; VIDEO<https://toolbox.dnc.org/?tool_name=vantage%20uploader&path=vantageuploader.dnc.org/videos/shared_show?jwt=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJpYXQiOjE0NjE4NzE2NTIsImVtYWlsIjoiamFrdWJpZWNtQGRuYy5vcmciLCJpZCI6MzEzMDUwLCJkb3dubG9hZGFibGUiOnRydWV9.fhng5gDvlFI8YPO-hi-fA-7eIcCnNU4XZTGOQzISBRY>]

Rick Scott: "I've Met Mrs. Fiorina One Time, She Seemed Like A Very Nice Person. But This Election Is Between Donald Trump And Hillary Clinton." CNBC: "What do you think of the alliance earlier this week of Governor Kasich and Mr. Cruz with respect to kind of dividing up their campaigning concentration in an effort to deny Mr. Trump a first ballot win and second, your reaction to Mr. Cruz's choice of Carly Fiorina as his potential running mate?" SCOTT: "Well the alliance sure didn't seem to help anybody on Tuesday other than Donald Trump. If you look at his big wins on Tuesday. I've met Mrs. Fiorina one time, she seemed like a very nice person. But this election is between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Donald Trump is either going to be close or at 1237. We've got to stop trying to stop Trump. All that is doing is helping Hillary. We've got to focus on winning November. We can't have -- we can't have four more years of Barack Obama's economic policy, healthcare policy, all the things that have damaged this country." [Power Lunch, CNBC, 4/28/16; VIDEO<https://toolbox.dnc.org/?tool_name=vantage%20uploader&path=vantageuploader.dnc.org/videos/shared_show?jwt=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJpYXQiOjE0NjE4NzE2NTIsImVtYWlsIjoiamFrdWJpZWNtQGRuYy5vcmciLCJpZCI6MzEzMDUwLCJkb3dubG9hZGFibGUiOnRydWV9.fhng5gDvlFI8YPO-hi-fA-7eIcCnNU4XZTGOQzISBRY>]

Rick Scott: "We've Got To Stop Trying To Stop Trump. All That Is Doing Is Helping Hillary." CNBC: "What do you think of the alliance earlier this week of Governor Kasich and Mr. Cruz with respect to kind of dividing up their campaigning concentration in an effort to deny Mr. Trump a first ballot win and second, your reaction to Mr. Cruz's choice of Carly Fiorina as his potential running mate?" SCOTT: "Well the alliance sure didn't seem to help anybody on Tuesday other than Donald Trump. If you look at his big wins on Tuesday. I've met Mrs. Fiorina one time, she seemed like a very nice person. But this election is between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Donald Trump is either going to be close or at 1237. We've got to stop trying to stop Trump. All that is doing is helping Hillary. We've got to focus on winning November. We can't have -- we can't have four more years of Barack Obama's economic policy, healthcare policy, all the things that have damaged this country." [Power Lunch, CNBC, 4/28/16; VIDEO<https://toolbox.dnc.org/?tool_name=vantage%20uploader&path=vantageuploader.dnc.org/videos/shared_show?jwt=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJpYXQiOjE0NjE4NzE2NTIsImVtYWlsIjoiamFrdWJpZWNtQGRuYy5vcmciLCJpZCI6MzEzMDUwLCJkb3dubG9hZGFibGUiOnRydWV9.fhng5gDvlFI8YPO-hi-fA-7eIcCnNU4XZTGOQzISBRY>]

Spending

Rick Scott Refused To Answer Whether Or Not He Would Support A Large Stimulus To Get The Economy Moving, As Carl Icahn Suggested. CNBC: "Mr. Carl Icahn was just on our air a few minutes ago. Somebody that Mr. Trump -- who has endorsed Mr. Trump and who Mr. Trump has mentioned as the kind of guy he's like to have as his Treasury Secretary. Mr. Icahn favored stimulus, spending, and that we're, and politicians particularly are way too concerned about the size of the U.S. debt. Would you be comfortable with a large stimulus as part of a way to get the economy moving forward, and are you as unconcerned about debt as Mr. Icahn is?" SCOTT: "I can tell what you I have done in our state. We've cut taxes 55 times. In the last two years over $1 billion in tax cuts. I have cut 4200 regulations. I have traveled outside the country and around the country to get jobs. We've added 1.61 million jobs...The four years before we got elected, we lost jobs in Florida, we lost 832,000 jobs in Florida. We've paid down 7.5 billion worth of debt. And here's what's happened, we've almost doubled our transportation funding. We have the highest education funding in the history of the state. So the path of making it a better place for business means we get more revenues that we can spend." [Power Lunch, CNBC, 4/28/16; VIDEO<https://toolbox.dnc.org/?tool_name=vantage%20uploader&path=vantageuploader.dnc.org/videos/shared_show?jwt=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJpYXQiOjE0NjE4NzE2NTIsImVtYWlsIjoiamFrdWJpZWNtQGRuYy5vcmciLCJpZCI6MzEzMDUwLCJkb3dubG9hZGFibGUiOnRydWV9.fhng5gDvlFI8YPO-hi-fA-7eIcCnNU4XZTGOQzISBRY>]
Rick Scott On His Record In Florida: "We've Almost Doubled Our Transportation Funding. We Have The Highest Education Funding In The History Of The State. So The Path Of Making It A Better Place For Business Means We Get More Revenues That We Can Spend."  CNBC: "Mr. Carl Icahn was just on our air a few minutes ago. Somebody that Mr. Trump -- who has endorsed Mr. Trump and who Mr. Trump has mentioned as the kind of guy he's like to have as his Treasury Secretary. Mr. Icahn favored stimulus, spending, and that we're, and politicians particularly are way too concerned about the size of the U.S. debt. Would you be comfortable with a large stimulus as part of a way to get the economy moving forward, and are you as unconcerned about debt as Mr. Icahn is?" SCOTT: "I can tell what you I have done in our state. We've cut taxes 55 times. In the last two years over $1 billion in tax cuts. I have cut 4200 regulations. I have traveled outside the country and around the country to get jobs. We've added 1.61 million jobs...The four years before we got elected, we lost jobs in Florida, we lost 832,000 jobs in Florida. We've paid down 7.5 billion worth of debt. And here's what's happened, we've almost doubled our transportation funding. We have the highest education funding in the history of the state. So the path of making it a better place for business means we get more revenues that we can spend." [Power Lunch, CNBC, 4/28/16; VIDEO<https://toolbox.dnc.org/?tool_name=vantage%20uploader&path=vantageuploader.dnc.org/videos/shared_show?jwt=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJpYXQiOjE0NjE4NzE2NTIsImVtYWlsIjoiamFrdWJpZWNtQGRuYy5vcmciLCJpZCI6MzEzMDUwLCJkb3dubG9hZGFibGUiOnRydWV9.fhng5gDvlFI8YPO-hi-fA-7eIcCnNU4XZTGOQzISBRY>]

Insurance Commissioner

HEADLINE: "McCarty Plans To Work Next Week, Over Scott Objections." [Politico, 4/29/16<http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/florida/2016/04/8597952/mccarty-plans-work-next-week-over-scott-objections>]

Tampa Bay Times On Rick Scott: "Does He Think There Should Be A Minimum Wage? Asked Twice In A CNBC Interview Thursday, He Wouldn't Say." "Gov. Rick Scott doesn't like a higher minimum wage. He made that clear this week when he announced radio ads in California ahead of his trade mission to that state, which will raise its wage from $10 to $15 an hour by 2022. But does he think there should be a minimum wage? Asked twice in a CNBC interview Thursday, he wouldn't say." [Tampa Bay Times, 4/28/16<http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/rick-scott-on-cnbc-i-dont-think-the-minimum-wage-is-going-away/2275166>]

Judicial Appointments

HEADLINE: "Scott Plan To Replace Judge With Appointment Decried As Court Packing." [Palm Beach Post, 4/28/16<http://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/scott-plan-to-replace-judge-with-appointment-decri/nrDbq/>]

Palm Beach Post: "Rick Scott This Week Announced Plans To Appoint Someone To Replace A Judge Leaving The Palm Beach County Bench Even Though The County's Elections Supervisor Said State Law Calls For The Replacement To Be Elected By Voters." "In a move that critics claim smacks of an attempt to pack the court, Florida Gov. Rick Scott this week announced plans to appoint someone to replace a judge leaving the Palm Beach County bench even though the county's elections supervisor said state law calls for the replacement to be elected by voters. Attorney Gregg Lerman, who had already announced plans to run for the seat, vowed to file a lawsuit if Scott won't back down from his plans to appoint a judge to replace longtime County Court Judge Laura Johnson, who is resigning to seek a seat on the circuit court bench." [Palm Beach Post, 4/28/16<http://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/scott-plan-to-replace-judge-with-appointment-decri/nrDbq/>]

Palm Beach Post: Rick Scott Planned "To Appoint A Judge To Replace Longtime County Court Judge Laura Johnson, Who Is Resigning To Seek A Seat On The Circuit Court Bench." "In a move that critics claim smacks of an attempt to pack the court, Florida Gov. Rick Scott this week announced plans to appoint someone to replace a judge leaving the Palm Beach County bench even though the county's elections supervisor said state law calls for the replacement to be elected by voters. Attorney Gregg Lerman, who had already announced plans to run for the seat, vowed to file a lawsuit if Scott won't back down from his plans to appoint a judge to replace longtime County Court Judge Laura Johnson, who is resigning to seek a seat on the circuit court bench." [Palm Beach Post, 4/28/16<http://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/scott-plan-to-replace-judge-with-appointment-decri/nrDbq/>]

Mary Thomas

Rick Scott Praised Congressional Hopeful Mary Thomas At A Club For Growth Meeting In February. "Gov. Rick Scott gave a shout-out to Republican congressional candidate Mary Thomas during a closed door event at a conference hosted by Club for Growth, the conservative group that each election cycle supports candidates across the country. 'Mary came aboard with me right after I got elected back in 2010 and worked in my general counsel office, and to give her bragging rights, everything she touched, it worked,' Scott said, according to audio from the meeting provided to POLITICO Florida... Thomas served as an attorney in Scott's administration, including as general counsel for the Department of Elder Affairs. She is running in the Republican primary for the 2nd Congressional District against Panama City physician Neal Dunn. The seat, which covers the eastern panhandle and sections of north-central Florida, is held by Democrat Gwen Graham, who is not running for re-election after a redistricting challenge made the seat much more conservative." [Politico, 4/28/16<http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/florida/2016/04/8597941/closed-door-event-scott-praised-congressional-hopeful-mary-thomas>]

Fox 13 News Highlighted The Story Of A Florida Cancer Victim Who Lost Healthcare Coverage After Falling Into The Gap Created When Rick Scott Blocked Florida's Medicaid Expansion. "While federal health care reform was intended to provide universal coverage, millions of people continue to slip through the cracks  -- including hundreds of thousands in Florida like Raymond Martineau, who thought they would not lose coverage when they get sick. Martineau lined up a job in the Tampa Bay area and purchased a health insurance policy through Heathcare.gov. He could afford the policy because he qualified for subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. However, he learned he had advanced cancer, and was unable to keep his job. As a result, he could not meet the income requirements under the ACA to retain his subsidies, and as a result lost his ability to keep his coverage... When federal lawmakers passed Obamacare, they determined people with no money should not buy policies. Instead, they designed to law to offer them an expanded form of state-run Medicaid, fully funded by federal money for the first three years... Florida continues to refuse around $50 billion from the federal government to expand health care services. The Republican-controlled Florida Senate tried to expand health care for the poor last year. The Florida House and Governor Scott blocked it, and the Senate did not fight for it this year." [Fox 13 News, 4/28/16<http://www.fox13news.com/news/fox-13-investigates/134159602-story>]

Abortion

Orlando Weekly: A Florida Administrative Law Judge "Rejected A State Agency's Arguments That A Gainesville Abortion Clinic Should Be Fined For Performing Second-Trimester Abortions Without A Proper License." "An administrative law judge Thursday rejected a state agency's arguments that a Gainesville abortion clinic should be fined for performing second-trimester abortions without a proper license.  In a 25-page ruling, Judge Lawrence P. Stevenson concluded that the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration had failed to make its case against Bread & Roses Well Woman Care. AHCA filed an administrative complaint against Bread and Roses in August, contending that the clinic, which is licensed to perform only first-trimester abortions, had performed five abortions on women who were in the second trimesters of pregnancies... The agency based its complaint on the fact that documentation in the five cases did not include the dates of the women's last normal menstrual periods. The files showed how many weeks of pregnancy were indicated by ultrasound procedures, which the clinic's owner and director, Kristin Davy, said was standard practice." [Orlando Weekly, 4/29/16<http://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2016/04/29/judge-rejects-floridas-claim-against-gainesville-abortion-clinic>]

Miami Herald: "In A Major Victory For Injured Workers And Stinging Defeat For Businesses, The Florida Supreme Court...Struck Down A Law Limiting Attorney's Fees In Workers' Compensation Cases." "In a major victory for injured workers and stinging defeat for businesses, the Florida Supreme Court on Thursday struck down a law limiting attorney's fees in workers' compensation cases. The 5-2 ruling is a setback for business groups who say legal fees drive up the cost of workers' compensation insurance and threaten Florida's economy and they must seek help from a reliably pro-business Legislature. The long-awaited decision puts pressure on lawmakers to call a special session in an election year to referee a high-stakes battle between Republican-aligned businesses and Democrat-leaning law firms, two deep-pocketed rivals that are among the biggest contributors to legislators' political campaigns."  [Miami Herald, 4/28/16<http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article74444272.html>]

Miami Herald: A Florida Supreme Court Decision Striking Down A Law Limiting Workers' Compensation Attorneys Fees "Puts Pressure On Lawmakers To Call A Special Session In An Election Year To Referee A High-Stakes Battle Between Republican-Aligned Businesses And Democrat-Leaning Law Firms."   "In a major victory for injured workers and stinging defeat for businesses, the Florida Supreme Court on Thursday struck down a law limiting attorney's fees in workers' compensation cases. The 5-2 ruling is a setback for business groups who say legal fees drive up the cost of workers' compensation insurance and threaten Florida's economy and they must seek help from a reliably pro-business Legislature. The long-awaited decision puts pressure on lawmakers to call a special session in an election year to referee a high-stakes battle between Republican-aligned businesses and Democrat-leaning law firms, two deep-pocketed rivals that are among the biggest contributors to legislators' political campaigns." [Miami Herald, 4/28/16<http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article74444272.html>]
Workers' Compensation Attorneys Fees In Florida Were Determined BY The State Insurance Commissioner's Office Of Insurance Regulation. "Workers' compensation rates in Florida are regulated by the Office of Insurance Regulation, run by Kevin McCarty, who has resigned effective May 2 but who has offered to stay on with no permanent successor in place. Gov. Rick Scott said he wants to appoint McCarty's successor on Friday. McCarty said that until the Legislature acts, the state will base attorney's fees on the 'reasonable' standard defined in a 2008 case, Murray vs. Mariner Health. 'Limiting attorney's fees has been an important factor in reducing workers' compensation rates,' McCarty said. 'A legislative remedy will be required to prevent significant increases in rates, and we look forward to working with all parties affected to bring about a sensible solution.'" [Miami Herald, 4/28/16<http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article74444272.html>]