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Florida’s two major parties, the Florida Democratic Party and the Republican Party just got checks totaling more than half a million dollars each. It’s because of a quirk in state law that has the state acting as a bill collector for the major parties. 

As candidates swarmed into the State Division of Elections to run for something . Most plunked down a hefty bit of cash. Six percent of the annual job  salary.

In House Candidate Emma Collum’s case, it was 1782 dollars. And in a strange twist in state law, a third of the fee, or just under 6 hundred dollars went to the State Democratic Party.

“You know it doesn’t bother me because as a Democrat, I support my party” she told us on the last day of qualifying.

Some, including Rob Weissert of Florida Taxwatch, liken the payments to a licensing fee to use the party label. The law has been on the books for decades.

“In this case, the state is requiring, by law, a certain amount of filing fees, ,collecting that, and turning over a percentage of it to the private political party’s” says Weissert.

Those running with no political affiliation pay just two thirds of the fee.

“It raises the bar for candidates who run in one particular political party for them to qualify for the office. So the state is essentially collecting money on behalf of the party’s”   says the Taxwatch researcher.

Florida Republicans just got a check for 537 thousand. Democrats got more, 586 thousand, reflecting more candidates running, especially for jobs that pay more.

“That’s pursuant to state law. It’s a decision whether or not its a good thing. But it’s not ultimately the same as a tax” says Weissert.

And while the state handed over one point one million dollars to the political parties, it spend 12 million running the Division of Elections.

In addition to sharing qualifying fees, the state just sent three point four million to seven statewide candidates who applied for public funding. That did come from the state treasury.

Voters may or may not get a chance to vote on banning Greyhound Racing in Florida. A judge has ruled the language voters will see is misleading and ordered if off the November ballot, but her order won’t be the final word.

The humane treatment of animals is a fundamental value read the first words of the proposal to ban greyhound racing. But nowhere in the ballot summary voters would see is that printed. Because of that, and because Floridians at dog tracks would still be able to bet on dog racing in other states. The judge ruled the amendment “hides the ball” and flies under a false flag. She ordered it off the ballot

“In 25 pages she she made the points very very clearly,” says Jack Cory of the Florida Greyhound Association. 

The Association filed the challenge.

“There were multiple points of unconstitutionality. Most importantly, that the constitution and the state statute requires that the body of the amendment that goes on the ballot to be clear” says Cory.

Attorney General and avid dog lover Pam Bondi is promising an expedited appeal to the state Supreme Court.

“We’re really disappointed with the ruling” says Kate McFall with Yes on 13.

Yes on 13 was surprised by the order, believe they will win on appeal, and call it a bad decision. 

“And a judge found that it is misleading. Is it?” We asked.

“No. It’s not misleading. We don’t think so at all and none of the lawyers on our team think its misleading. We think this was a bad ruling.”

The clock is ticking for the court. Most elections supervisors say they need their ballots to the printer no later than the first week of September.

Even if the court doesn’t make the ballot printing deadline, and if justices rule with the Greyhound Association, they court could simply order any votes for 13 not be counted.

A spokesman for the state Supreme Court said vacationing justices are already monitoring an active death warrant and “will do so with any other time-sensitive cases that might require a quick judicial response in the weeks ahead.”

The investigation of a white man who shot a black man after being pushed to the ground is still being investigated in Clearwater, and as Mike Vasilinda tell us, the NRA, says the sheriff doesn’t deserve criticism for not yet filing charges.

On March 23, 2005, opponents predicted chaos in the streets as Stand Your Ground was debated in the Florida House.

“This bill creates a wild, wild west out there” said then Rep. Eleanor Sobel who served in the House until 2006 and then moved to the Senate. 

Sponsor Dennis Baxley fought back.

“I shouldn’t have a duty to retreat. That’s a good way to get shot in the back.”

The NRA’s Marion Hammer was standing next to Jeb Bush when he signed Stand Your Ground into law four weeks later on April 26, 2005. 

“I think it will help us to see lower crime rates, protect people’s rights” said Bush.

“A bill for the people” chimed Hammer.

Hammer knows the law as well as anyone and says Sheriff Bob Gultari shouldn’t be criticized for not arresting anyone in the case.

“If it’s a complicated case, it’s going to take longer” the veteran lobbyist told us. 

At about two minutes and 10 seconds into the surveillance video, this woman exits the store and looks for a second time at the end of the parking lot. This man, who’s been sitting in his car also glances here. Both witnesses could be key to the case.”

25 seconds later Markeis McGlockton exits the store, apparently aware the mother of his children was being confronted by a stranger. Hammer says we don’t know what the Sheriff knows.

“We don’t know how many witnesses. We don’t know what the guy who attacked the guy on the ground said to him.”

Hammer also clarified what was perceived by many as criticism of the Sheriff. Hammer says she was only speaking to what the law says…not the Sheriff himself.

The Florida Senate voted unanimously, 39 to 0 for Stand Your Ground in 2005. The House vote was 94-20. Both votes were bi-partisan.

Hours before President Donald Trump arrived in Tampa, the man he came to campaign for released a new ad showing he’s all in for the President.  Republican Gubernatorial hopeful Ron DeSantis is making sure voters know he’s for Trump and vice versa.

If you didn’t know that Ron DeSantis had been endorsed by Donald Trump, his latest ad shows he’s in with the President one hundred percent.

“He’s also an amazing dad” says wife Casey in the spot. “Ron loves playing with the kids.” DeSantis is then seem helping the child with building blocks saying “Build the  wall.” “He reads stories” says Casey. DeSantis, reading Trump’s book Art of the Deal says “Then Mr. Trump said, You’re Fired. I love that part.”

Political scientist Carol Weissert calls it…

“Very Clever. It’s funny, it’s cute. It’s gonna be tweeted and retweeted and watched a lot more than more substantive ads would be.”

Conventional Wisdom suggests that any candidates that goes as far right as DeSantis did in this spot hurt themselves in tNovember, but this might be the year conventional wisdom is thrown out the window.

“I don’t think he’s worried about the general election at this point” says Weissert.  “I think he’s worried about the primary and it’s going to help him in the Primary, I think.”

Also seen in the spot, DeSantis teaching his child to read by holding up a Trump sign and reading from it. “Make America great again.People Say Ron is all Trump, but he is so much more…to which DeSantis responds: “Big Lead…so good.”

Polling suggests that DeSantis has overcome Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam’s once commanding lead…due almost exclusively to the Presidents endorsement says Democrat Political Consultant Steve Vancore.

“There’s no doubt that the Trump bump is real and DeSantis got a lift from it. Now, with about fifteen to twenty percent undecided, the question will be who’s better for Florida.”

And as one political scientist put it, Democrats who think the President will be DeSantis’s downfall in November might be taking their cues from Hillary Clinton’s playbook.

While Governor Rick Scott was scheduled to appear with the President this afternoon, he has drastically curtailed both his appearances and praise for Donald Trump since the US Senate race began heating up. 

The coalition for Reproductive Rights today delivered fifty-five hundred signatures to the Governors Office. The coalition is calling on the state to enforce requirements in a new law granting funding to at least 105 counseling centers which the coalition is calling fake, because they appear to offer women seeking abortions support. But coalition spokesperson Amy Weintraub says the clinics often mislead women about their services.

“The fake clinics must provide services in a non coercive manner. They must not try to persuade women to do one thing over another. They may not include any religious content in service delivery. They must provide current and accurate information. 

The legislation also says the clinics must provide references for any medical statements, and conduct background screenings on staff and volunteers. The coalition says it wants the Department of Health to conduct frequent surprise visits to the clinics.