From Left to right, Gardiner, Castor-Dentel, Jacobs, Bradley

Commissioner Ted Edwards

From there Mayor Jacobs headed downtown, to the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center Topping Off Ceremony. She was joined by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, her fellow members of the Orange Board, Commissioners Pete Clarke and Scott Boyd, as well as City Commissioners Daisy Lynum, Robert Stuart ,and a host of other past local leaders.

Jacobs, Dyer, and several other local leaders past and present

Analyzing Sunday Talkers:

The Post Legislative Reviews on the local Sunday morning Talk Shows, can be some of the best political programming of the year. I watched two of them back to back and the State House took the brunt of the criticism for not expanding medicaid. House Republicans were criticized for not taking the government’s money for the expansion that would accommodate “Obamacare” and Democrats were left wondering if their filibuster measure of forcing all of the bills to be read aloud, the last couple of days in protest had any real effect on the measure at all.

Here are the takeaways:

State Senators Andy Gardiner and David Simmons shared almost word for word the same statement regarding the failed stadiums bill. Gardiner told WFTV’s Greg Warmoth on “Central Florida Spotlight” (link to show HERE) and Simmons told Lauren Rowe on WKMG’s Flashpoint (Video HERE) that they kicked it to the House 3 different times but the leadership had a problem with the Miami Dolphins. Simmons also put the heat on the House for not acting on Medicaid.

Democratic Senators Darren Soto (on Flashpoint) and Geraldine Thompson (on Spotlight): Awarded C’s. Soto gave Governor Rick Scott himself a “C”, while Thompson gave the overall outcome of the session the same grade.

State House Representative Democrat Linda Stewart said the Filibuster measure of forcing the bills to be read was “The only tool they had in the box” to counter the measure.

———

Castor-Dentel and Simmons stayed busy into the evening. Here is a photo of the two at another legislative update.

The holiday weekend is almost upon us!

Today, we’ve got concerns about a Sport Complex being too close to a landfill, and coal plant. The evidence didn’t convince me but it’s a good report. We got video on that.

We’ve also got Gerrymandering Appeals Court. There was a ruling that says lawmakers cannot be asked about intentions on Gerrymandering during re-districting. Apparently, there counting on our lawmakers to have a Denzel Washington at the end of “Flight” epiphany.

These stories lead your Thursday Morning Political Headlines

WFTV 9 Eyewitness News: (VIDEO) Proposal to locate sports complex near power plant, landfill concerns parents

Orlando Sentinel: Appeals court says legislators can’t be questioned about gerrymandering ‘intent’

WKMG Local 6: (Video) Flashpoint: looks at Florida Legislative session

CF News 13: POLITIFACT: Is Rick Scott still on track for 700,000 jobs in 7 years?

WESH 2: Topping off ceremony to be held for Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts

WOFL FOX 35: (VIDEO) Iraq War Veteran receives Purple Heart

This afternoon, Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Mike Ertel, sent out this email blast explaining some of the changes in plain English.

*These are not all of the changes and there are some conditions involved. If you’ve got questions please contact your County Supervisor of Elections and other official channels*

Yesterday Governor Rick Scott signed the big elections legislation for 2013 that you may have heard or read about. There were several campaigns and elections-related issues in that bill, and several other bills. In this email, I’m focusing more on the county-level and smaller offices, so if you have any questions related to you or your organization, please feel free to give me a call.

———-

Campaigns (all take effect Nov. 1, 2013)

–Campaign finance reports are now due every month, replacing the quarterly reports. In the last 60 days of the election, reports are due every other week on Fridays, as well as additional reports due the 25th and 11th days before an election. These timelines are different for statewide candidates, so please contact us if you are not sure about your timelines.

–Anyone running for a party executive committee slot who makes or spends contributions must file a campaign treasurer’s report the Friday before the election.

–Eliminates Committees of Continuous Existence.

–The $500 contribution limit to political committees which support of oppose a candidate has been lifted.

–County political parties may now contribute up to $50,000 per non-statewide candidate.

–The max contribution to county and city-level candidates is increased from $500 to $1,000.

–Campaign checks no longer have to strictly state “campaign account.”

–Campaign fundraiser invites must now have the disclaimer on it.

–If a candidate switches offices for which they are running, the carried-over contributions from the old campaign count towards the individual contribution limits of the new campaign.

–Candidate who qualify by petition are no longer required to reimburse the one percent election assessment before disbursing of leftover funds.

–Doubles the amount a successful candidate for county and city offices can keep in a post-election office account, yet delineates the allowed expenses with that account.

–Makes it a crime to possess more than two absentee ballots not belonging to you or an immediate family member.

Voting

–Any request for an absentee ballot which is to be mailed anywhere but the address to which you are registered to vote must be in writing. There is an obvious exception for overseas/ uniformed service members.

–Allows voters who forgot to sign their absentee ballots to complete a signed affidavit, which will allow their absentee ballot to count.

–Increases the minimum number of hours an early voting center must be open from six to eight.

–Local counties may now choose to have as many as six more days of early voting per election.

–Increases the allowable locations which can be used for early voting.

Election dates

–Changes the primary, which now occurs two weeks closer to the general election. The 2014 primary election will now be August 26. Qualifying for local, non-judicial elections in 2014 is now June 16-20.

—————–

Mostly local stories today.

We’ve got Corrine Brown calling for a DOJ Investigation into controversial 2010 shooting.

Great column from the Orlando Sentinel about Downtown Parking. All 4 candidates for Mayor last year said it was a problem but nothing has been done.

We’ve also got more big projects and County Commission Public Comment video, which is always good TV.

Those stories lead your Wednesday Morning Political Headlines.

WESH 2: Corrine Brown wants DOJ to investigate excessive force case

Orlando Sentinel: Scott Maxwell- If Orlando Truly wants a “Destination Downtown” Parking needs improvement

WFTV 9 Eyewitness News: (VIDEO) Marion Co. seniors blast commission over no tax break

WOFL FOX 35: Will taxpayers be on the hook for overhaul of Interstate 4?

CF NEWS 13: SunRail looks to UCF for rental car idea

WKMG Local 6: Weiner announces bid for NYC mayor

Parking Downtown Continues to be an unsolved problem

More fallout over Rick Scott‘s Budget Vetoes, including a Veto over a pedestrian bridge over Silver Start and Pine Hills Rd. outlined in video from the first report. If you’re familiar with that intersection, you know that would have been a big safety improvement.

Also, more discussion over how to finance the Soccer-only stadium in Orlando to lure an MLS franchise to the area. The Orlando City spoke to Mayor Teresa Jacobs yesterday. You can read my write-up here and the original report is both on that post and below.

Great video content this morning.

These are your Tuesday Morning Political Headlines.

WOFL FOX 35: (VIDEO) Gov. Scott vetoes $368M in state budget

Orlando Sentinel: Orlando City investor: Larger financial stake in soccer-specific stadium possible

WFTV 9 Eyewitness News: (VIDEO) Leaders work to find way to build soccer stadium in downtown Orlando

CF News 13: (VIDEO) Gov. Rick Scott signs budget, vetoes nearly $400 million

WESH 2: (CNN) Report identifies ‘Fast & Furious’ leak

WKMG Local 6: (CNN) Tea party group files lawsuit against IRS

According to the report, both sides say the meeting went well but when asked about a promise for support for the stadium from Jacobs, the Team President couldn’t answer yes exactly. Jacobs only released a statement vowing to work further in trying to reach a solution that could benefit both sides.

If you’ve been writing about Jacobs as often as I do, you know that means… “We’ll see. I need more information and more time”.

It was the same kind of response she gave before discovering budget shortfalls with the new Performing Arts Center. She had to tear apart the numbers, before finally reaching a financially responsible solution.

It was the same kind of response she gave regarding renovations to the Citrus Bowl, before a negotiating a risk based deal, that tied renovations to tourist tax income. A risk that paid off.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer was at the other end of those two venue projects and he’ll probably have to work with Jacobs again to make this stadium a reality. The City (of Orlando) has already bought the land for the stadium.

However Jacobs is the “down to earth pragmatic leader” which balances out Dyer’s “Caution to the wind, big city vision”. The best deals are the ones they both sign off on.

This is the first public step the franchise has taken since the set back at the close of the state’s legislative session, which saw a loaded agenda exclude a bill that would have funded a portion of the stadium with tax dollars.

They’ve also got one possible “no” vote from Orange County Commissioner Fred Brummer, who is on the record, expressing concern over the logistics and numbers behind such a project.

As future developments occur, you can find them here.

The Orlando City Soccer Club met with Mayor Teresa Jacobs on Monday

The move was met with mostly positive reactions from State Legislators, let’s have a look.

District 49 State Rep. Joe Saunders praised the decision.

Happy to report that the Governor has vetoed the 3% tuition increase in the state budget. This is great news for… fb.me/E5aF0Fut

— Joe Saunders (@RepJoeSaunders) May 20, 2013

State Senator Darren Soto made comparisons to former Governor Charlie Crist, who Scott might face in 2014.

Republicans in the area stayed quiet for the most part. There was some grumbling over the veto for a coast to coast bike trail, championed by some lawmakers including future Senate President Andy Gardiner, but nothing major.

Current Senate President Don Gaetz has this statement in a report by the Orlando Sentinel. “While many will disagree with some of Governor Scott’s line item vetoes, that is his constitutional role as Chief Executive,”.

The decision to Veto the hike may be challenged, if it is, I’ll blog about it here.

This action continues Scott’s push towards the middle with education. He kicked off 2013 by returning money to the education budget, that he reduced during his first two years in office, and promised raises to teachers, which he delivered on a merit pay basis.

Florida Governor Rick Scott should be careful, if he keeps this up, his approval numbers might break 40%.

Reports indicate that Rick Scott might Veto a proposed tuition hike proposed in the budget. There are questions over whether it’s legal or not but we’ll keep an eye on it as it improves.

That story (almost) sweeps your Monday Morning Political Headlines.

Have an awesome day.

WKMG Local 6: Florida Gov. Rick Scott to veto college tuition hike

Orlando Sentinel: Report: Gov. Scott to veto 3 percent tuition increase

WESH 2: (AP) Gov. Scott will veto 3 percent college tuition hike

WFTV 9 Eyewitness News: Gov. Scott will veto 3 percent college tuition hike

CF News 13: Governor Scott plans to veto tuition hike for college students

WOFL FOX 35: (AP) AP CEO calls records seizure ‘unconstitutional’

Florida Governor Rick Scott: The Governor took this video to Both Twitter and Facebook yesterday to celebrate the state’s dropping unemployment numbers.

Senator Bill Nelson: Pushed this video. It’s good information but pretty dull.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio: was cheering on his hometown Miami Heat. As a Chicago Bulls fan, I respectfully disagree with every tweet posted below.

Congressman John Mica: Posted this photo with a World War II Veteran visiting him.

Congressman Alan Grayson: Doing what he does.

Congressman Daniel Webster: Voted once again against The President’s Healthcare plan or “Obamacare”

Congressman Ron Desantis: Also posted his thoughts on the Health Care Vote

Her Re-election slogan “Smart. Tough. Making a Difference”

Her early support? A Bi-Partisan “Who’s Who” of Orange County, not only flexing the power of incumbency but mainstream support she’s maintained through out the course of her first term.

Elected Officials, Philanthropists, and Executives sit on one of the three committees the flyer advertises and the venue booked anticipates a huge turnout of previous supporters and potential donors.

In 2010, Jacobs was the last candidate to enter the race and immediately took control of the contest with a successful combination of financial support and Grassroots GOTV efforts.

This time she’ll be the incumbent and potential opponents include former Orlando Police Chief Val Demings (who lost a Congressional bid last year), Termed out State Representative Stephen Precourt (who could pull big business support if he runs) and most recently termed out Commissioner Tiffany Moore-Russell who’s experience could help but who’s popularity outside of district is untested.

Below is the Campaign Flyer

The Orange County Mayor Race is expected to be one of the biggest races of 2014 with no U.S Senate Race on the ballot and no early intriguing match-ups for Congress.