Last Call for 3.28.24 — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics

Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.

First Shot

Floridians won’t know until Monday whether abortion rights and recreational pot will be on the ballot this year.

The Florida Supreme Court heard arguments about both proposed constitutional amendments weeks ago. Justices in both instances appeared skeptical of Attorney General Ashley Moody’s arguments against placing them on the ballot.

The abortion rights amendment, backed by the political committee Floridians Protecting Freedom, would block restrictions on abortion before the point of viability, which is approximately 24 weeks into term.

Moody’s office argued the amendment was misleading because it doesn’t consider the potential for more restrictive federal regulations limiting abortion, which could potentially be enacted due to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision in 2022.

Though he referred to fetuses as the “unborn,” Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz said the proposed text doesn’t appear “deceptive” — the Court review focuses specifically on whether a proposed amendment sticks to a single subject and if the ballot summary or title are misleading.

The cannabis amendment, meanwhile, would allow for the sale and possession of recreational marijuana. The group behind the amendment — Smart & Safe Florida — has maintained it followed a road map laid out by the court when the Supreme Court permitted a medical marijuana amendment to make the ballot.

The Attorney General’s office argued the proposal could confuse voters as well, specifically that it could mislead voters into believing they could not face prosecution from the federal government, which still schedules cannabis as an illicit drug.

The argument appeared to fall flat, as the summary proposed by the political committee that supported it, Smart & Safe Florida, states that the amendment “does not change, or immunize violations of, federal law.”

Evening Reads

—”Donald Trump calls his globe-trotting ex-diplomat ‘my envoy.’ Neither is in office.” via Beth Reinhard, Jon Swaine and Aaron Schaffer of The Washington Post

—”How Joe Lieberman could have changed political history” via Chris Cillizza of So What

—”‘Just Die’: Colorado elections chief who took on Trump Sees 600% spike in threats” via Andrew Perez, Adam Rawnsley, Ryan Bort and Asawin Suebsaeng of Rolling Stone

—”How MAGA broke the media” via Zack Beauchamp of Vox

—”One satellite signal rules modern life. What if someone knocks it out?” via Selam Gebrekidan, John Liu and Chris Buckley of The New York Times

—”U.S. support for Israel’s war has become indefensible” via Phil Kay of The Atlantic

—”Lessons from Skyway disaster failed to help protect Baltimore bridge” via Justin Garcia and Jay Cridlin of the Tampa Bay Times

—“Some of Florida’s sickest kids are losing Medicaid coverage on Easter Sunday” via Caroline Catherman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

—”Floridians will soon be able to buy larger — much larger — bottles of wine in retail stores” via Anthony Man of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Quote of the Day

“You get a lot of gnashing of teeth. You get a lot of people (who) try to offer analysis. And then once this stuff actually comes into, you know, rubber meets the road, turns out they were full of hot air.”

— Gov. Ron DeSantis, on the opposition to his congressional map.

Put It on the Tab

Look to your left, then look to your right. If you see one of these people at your happy hour haunt, flag down the bartender and put one of these on your tab. Recipes included, just in case the Cocktail Codex fell into the well.

The Florida Supreme Court has until April 1 to make consequential decisions about two major ballot amendments, and they’re going to use every last minute — perhaps an Eleventh Hour is in order?

Speaking of the Court, Gov. Ron DeSantis is confident they’ll uphold his controversial redistricting plan. If he ends up being right, he’s due for a Mapmaker.

If there was ever a time to skip the cocktails and order some wine — and we mean a lot of wine — it’s now. Just make sure you have plenty of friends to split that Melchizedek with.

Breakthrough Insights

Tune In

Today is opening day in Major League Baseball and the weekend is loaded with games, including both Florida teams opening at home.

The Tampa Bay Rays open the season with a four-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays. On Saturday, the first pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET, and Sunday at 1:40 p.m. ET (both on Bally Sports Sun).

The Rays finished last year with a record of 99-63, the second-best mark in the American League. Unfortunately, the only team with a better record, the Baltimore Orioles, was also in their division. The Rays lost in the wild card playoffs to the eventual World Series champions, the Texas Rangers. 

This season, expectations for the Rays are lower. DraftKings.com has the Rays tabbed as the fourth favorite in the five-team American League East ahead of only the Boston Red Sox.

Miami opens at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Saturday’s first pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET, and Sunday’s is scheduled for 1:40 p.m. ET (both on Bally Sports Florida).

The Marlins finished 84-78 last season and were not particularly active in the offseason. Miami signed first baseman Trey Mancini and traded for catcher Christian Bethancourt and shortstop Nick Gordon, but they saw former World Series MVP Jorge Soler sign as a free agent with the San Francisco Giants while infielder Joey Wendle signed with the New York Mets. 

DraftKings.com has the Marlins picked fourth in the National League East ahead of only the Washington Nationals. 

Also tonight:

7 p.m. — New York Islanders @ Florida Panthers

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Last Call is published by Peter Schorsch, assembled and edited by Phil Ammann and Drew Wilson, with contributions from the staff of Florida Politics.

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